After Jubilee and the opposition Cord striking a deal on the composition and terms of service of recruiting the new IEBC commissioners, Raila Odinga has said that this is the first step to free and fair elections in the country.
“The journey to a free and fair election has just started in this country.” Said Odinga.
The select committee recommended that a 7-member electoral body be appointed working on full time basis.
The committee is expected to name two candidates to take lead the commissioners where one will be nominated by the president and vetted by parliament.
The panel is also expected to submit 9 names of commissioners where the president will nominate 6 who will then be subjected to parliament for vetting.
Odinga said he welcomes the proposal by the select committee but called on the president not to take part in the nominations since he is a player in the general elections just like him.
“I am hoping the president will see the need to consult with us since he is a player too in good faith,” he said.