Abdulqadir Lorot informed the IEBC selection committee that there is a precedent for state officials stepping down from their roles after being confirmed for a new public position.

“There is a previous example that has been established. If confirmed as the IEBC chairman, I am prepared to resign right away,” Lorot declared, emphasizing that there is no novelty in state officials undergoing interviews for public positions.

He stressed that when applying for the role, he was fully aware that accepting the position would necessitate his resignation from his current post as a magistrate should he be selected as the upcoming IEBC chairman.

The legislation disallows the IEBC chairperson from occupying another position as a state official prior to taking up their role.

“It has occurred previously, where state officials have been named as Cabinet Secretaries, like in the instance of the ex-Ugunja MP,” Lorot mentioned additionally.

Currently, Lorot holds the position of Chief Magistrate at the Naivasha Law Courts and has accumulated 23 years of experience within the judiciary, which includes serving as a judicial trainer.

When questioned regarding the number of constituencies in Kiambu County, Lorot could only remember eight out of the total twelve.

He listed Githunguri, Kiambaa, Lari, Kikuyu, Thika Town, Ruiru, Gatundu North, and Gatundu South but did not include Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu, and Juja constituencies.

The inquiry, designed to assess his knowledge of the nation’s voting districts, was presented by panelist Dr. Adams Oloo.

The committee headed by Dr. Nelson Makanda is presently interviewing 11 candidates who have been shortlisted for the role of IEBC chairperson.

The chosen individual will take over from the recently deceased Wafula Chebukati, who died last month following the conclusion of his six-year tenure in 2023.

The interviews are currently taking place at the College of Insurance in South C, Nairobi.