Abdulqadir Lorot Pledges to Resign if Appointed IEBC Chairperson

Naivasha Chief Magistrate Abdulqadir Lorot has affirmed his commitment to stepping down from his judicial role if appointed as the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking during his interview with the IEBC selection panel, Lorot emphasized that he would comply with the constitutional requirement that bars the electoral body’s chairperson from holding any other state office.

“If appointed, I will resign immediately. There is precedent for this, and I am fully prepared to make that decision,” he told the panel.

Lorot, who has served in the judiciary for over 23 years, is among the candidates shortlisted for the position. He highlighted his experience in legal reforms and governance, positioning himself as a suitable candidate to lead the country’s electoral commission.

During his interview for the position, Lorot was asked to list the constituencies in Kiambu County. While he successfully named eight—Githunguri, Kiambaa, Lari, Kikuyu, Thika Town, Ruiru, Gatundu North, and Gatundu South—he failed to mention Kabete, Limuru, Kiambu, and Juja, a moment that raised concerns about his grasp of Kenya’s electoral geography.

The selection panel is expected to announce the final nominee for the IEBC chairperson role in the coming days. Until then, Lorot remains in office as a magistrate, awaiting the outcome of the recruitment process.