Former KESSHA chief Alfred Kahi eyes IEBC seat in interview

When Alfred Indimuli Kahi, the 62‑year‑old former National Chairman of the Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), stepped before the selection panel on 12 May 2025, the room buzzed with a mix of curiosity and cautious optimism. He was one of six hopefuls vying for a coveted IEBC membership, a role that could shape Kenya’s electoral future for years to come.

Why the IEBC Chairmanship Matters Now

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, formally Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, is at the heart of Kenya’s democratic process. After a series of contested polls and public outcry over perceived lapses, the commission has been under pressure to restore credibility. The current reshuffle, announced by President William Ruto last month, aims to inject fresh expertise into the body before the 2027 general elections.

The Selection Process: A Crash Course

Yesterday’s interview was part of a three‑stage vetting exercise overseen by a panel chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda, a seasoned public‑service administrator. The panel, comprising six senior officials, asked each candidate to outline a concrete plan for improving transparency, efficiency, and public trust.

• Alfred Kahi – emphasized open communication channels and data‑driven decision‑making.
• Ahmed Sheikh – focused on digital voter registration upgrades.
• Alamitu Guyo – advocated for stronger regional monitoring teams.
• Albert Nguma – proposed a citizen‑oversight board.
• Ali Nur – suggested a zero‑tolerance policy for electoral fraud.
• Ann Nderitu – championed gender‑balanced staffing.

Each candidate had 30 minutes to present a slide deck, answer probing questions, and respond to a mock crisis scenario designed to test crisis‑communication skills.

Alfred Kahi’s Pitch: Education Meets Governance

Kahi opened with a brief recount of his tenure at KESSHA, where he led a coalition of over 1,200 school principals and spearheaded a national curriculum overhaul in 2019. "Building trust requires **clear, unambiguous channels of communication**," he told the panel, quoting his own earlier speech at a Nairobi teachers’ conference.

He highlighted three pillars for the IEBC:

1. Transparency: an online portal that publishes real‑time vote tallies and stakeholder reports.
2. Accountability: a whistle‑blower framework protected by law.
3. Engagement: community outreach programmes in every constituency, modelled on the school‑parent‑teacher meetings he popularised.

When asked how his background prepared him for the commission, Kahi reminded the panel of his Bachelor of Education from Kenyatta University (class of 1986) and a Diploma in Education Management from the Kenya Education Management Institute (KEMI) earned in 2013. He is currently chasing an MBA in Strategic Management at the University of Nairobi, a move he says reflects his belief in lifelong learning.

Reactions From Stakeholders

The education sector welcomed Kahi’s candidacy. Prof. Grace Mwangi, a former KESSHA board member, noted, "Alfred knows how to navigate bureaucratic inertia. If anyone can translate school‑level accountability into national electoral practice, it’s him."

Opposition parties, however, remained skeptical. A spokesperson for the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) said, "We will watch closely. The IEBC must be insulated from any single‑track influence, whether from education or politics."

IEBC insiders, speaking on condition of anonymity, hinted that the panel is leaning toward candidates with strong digital‑innovation track records, a nod to the commission’s ambitious e‑voting roadmap unveiled in 2024.

Potential Impact If Kahi Is Selected

Should Kahi secure a seat, analysts predict a noticeable shift toward community‑centric electoral reforms. Dr. James Ochieng, a political scientist at Strathmore University, argues that Kahi’s experience with stakeholder consensus could help defuse post‑election disputes, which have historically flared in Kenya’s Rift Valley and Coast regions.

Moreover, his push for an open data portal aligns with the African Union’s “Digital Democracy” agenda, potentially attracting donor funding from the European Union and the United Kingdom for capacity‑building projects.

What Comes Next?

The selection panel will deliberate in secret for the next 48 hours before presenting a shortlist to President Ruto’s office. The final appointment is expected by the end of June, giving the IEBC a few months to integrate new members before the 2027 election cycle ramps up.

Meanwhile, the six candidates have pledged to respect the panel’s decision and continue serving Kenya in various capacities, whether within civil society, academia, or private‑sector advisory roles.

Background: The IEBC’s Recent Turbulence

In August 2022, the IEBC faced its biggest credibility test when delayed results from the gubernatorial race sparked street protests in Nairobi and Mombasa. A subsequent audit by the Auditor General uncovered inconsistencies in the transmission of results from 27 constituencies.

Since then, the commission has undertaken a series of reforms: a new voter‑verification algorithm in 2023, a partnership with the International IDEA for best‑practice audits, and a public‑consultation series that attracted over 10,000 comments. Yet, trust levels remain low— a Pew Research Center poll conducted in March 2025 showed only 38 % of Kenyans believed the IEBC was “mostly trustworthy.”

Key Facts

• Date of interview: 12 May 2025
• Candidates: Alfred Kahi, Ahmed Sheikh, Alamitu Guyo, Albert Nguma, Ali Nur, Ann Nderitu
• Panel chair: Dr. Nelson Makanda
• IEBC’s current trust rating: 38 % (Pew, 2025)
• Next appointment deadline: 30 June 2025