Chief Justice Martha Koome has called on the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) leadership to embrace integrity, transparency, and constitutionalism as they assume office amid heightened national expectations.
Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Nairobi on Friday, Koome emphasized the weight of responsibility now placed on the seven-member team. “Today marks the beginning of a great public duty, one that demands not only competence and courage, but a firm and unwavering commitment to constitutionalism, impartiality, and the democratic aspirations of the people of Kenya,” she said.
The new team will be chaired by Erastus Edung Ethekon, with Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah serving as commissioners.
Koome underscored the significance of their mandate, noting the commission is assuming office at a time when the country is grappling with deep public dissatisfaction—especially among the youth—towards public institutions. “The cry from every corner of our nation is for integrity, transparency, accountability, and justice,” she said.
The Chief Justice urged the commission to urgently address long-stalled electoral and administrative processes, including by-elections and the crucial delimitation of boundaries. These steps are vital for ensuring equitable representation and preparing for the 2027 General Election.
“This institutional vacuum has delayed several key processes that are vital to Kenya’s democratic health,” Koome noted, adding, “Now that the commission has been reconstituted, it is imperative that you move with speed.”
Koome also reminded the team of their constitutional obligation under Article 38, which guarantees all Kenyans the right to free, fair, and credible elections.
The new IEBC commissioners take office following a prolonged and contested recruitment process that concluded with a High Court ruling allowing their appointment to proceed, despite earlier legal hurdles.
With the commission now reconstituted after more than two years of dormancy, public attention turns to its ability to deliver trustworthy elections and rebuild confidence in Kenya’s democratic institutions.
