Ruto picks ex-IEBC boss Issack Hassan as IPOA chair

Former IEBC chairman Ahmed Issack Hassan has been nominated as the IPOA chairperson. [File, Standard]

President William Ruto has nominated Ahmed Issack Hassan as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) chairperson.

Hassan was the first Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson under the current Constitution and is expected to serve as the third Chairman of the commission oversighting the police service for six years, if approved.

Upon clearing by Parliament, Hassan will finally secure a position after failing to get the senior judicial roles he has sought in the past since he left the electoral commission.

Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei said in a statement yesterday that the President has formally transmitted to Parliament, the names of candidates to several roles for appointment.

Hassan has been nominated alongside seven members, Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Micah Pnyiego Nyakego, Boniface Kipkemoi Samati, Annette Mbogoh, John Muchiri Nyaga, Kenwilliams Nyakomitah and Jackline Lukalo Mwenesi, who will serve as members of the IPOA board if approved.

“In steering the transitions arising from vacancies within Constitutional Commissions and other State agencies, the President has today (Tuesday), in the exercise of the prerogative in the Head of State and Government, nominated persons for appointments to various public offices,” said Koskei.

He said the nominations were preceded by recommendations received from respective selection panels appointed to identify nominees for appointment to the respective constitutional boards and commissions.

In March, Hassan was among the 100 shortlisted for a High Court job after the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) announced vacancies for 20 positions.

In yet another previous attempt, he also was shortlisted for a Court of Appeal post but did not cut.

If successful, Hassan and the seven nominated to the board will replace Anne Makori and her team, whose term ended on August 31, having served since September 2018.

The President also nominated Charles Orinda Dulo to chair the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ).

He is an advocate of the High Court with 20 years of experience in private legal practice and public service and was among the founding members of Daystar University’s School of Law, where he still serves as a lecturer.

Sammy Chepkwony has been nominated to be the next Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chairperson. Ruto described Chepkwony as an accomplished human resource professional with over 30 years of experience in human resource and organizational development.

Currently, Chepkwony is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer at People Centric Management Limited.

For the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC), Rehema Dida Jaldesa has been nominated to serve as the Chairperson.

“She has held various leadership positions over the last three administrations and served as Isiolo County Member of Parliament in the 12th Parliament,” Koskei said.

The President also nominated Gerald Nyaoma Arita as the Central Bank of Kenya Deputy Governor. Arita has over 36 years of experience in banking and is the outgoing Director of the Bank Supervision Department at CBK.