Fahima Araphat Abdallah has been elected Vice Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the Commission’s first plenary session held on Friday, July 11, 2025 just hours after the new commissioners were sworn into office.
The announcement was made by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, who confirmed that the 288th plenary meeting was convened promptly after the official induction of the new leadership. “We are pleased to announce to members of the public and stakeholders that the Commission in its 288th Plenary meeting elected Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah as the Vice Chairperson,” Ethekon said in a statement.
Ethekon, sworn in alongside six commissioners at the Supreme Court, underscored his commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring transparent electoral processes in the country. “Free and fair elections are the cornerstone of our democratic society,” he said. “The IEBC is entrusted with the solemn responsibility that every citizen’s voice is not only heard but honoured.”
He emphasized that his primary loyalty lies with the Kenyan people, who are the bearers of sovereign power under Article 1 of the Constitution. Ethekon urged all citizens to play an active role in promoting peaceful, credible elections, particularly as the country heads into several by-elections and begins preparing for the 2027 General Election.
The Chairperson also addressed the challenges facing the Commission, particularly the growing threat of misinformation and disinformation, which he warned could destabilize the nation if unchecked. “We have an opportunity to work with news outlets to educate, inform, and focus on factual truths,” he noted.
Ethekon will lead the newly reconstituted IEBC team, which includes Commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The swift election of Abdallah to the Vice Chair position signals a decisive start for the new team, who are tasked with restoring public confidence in the IEBC and ensuring credible electoral processes moving forward.
