A crucial step toward reconstituting Kenya’s electoral body begins today as the National Assembly embarks on a marathon vetting session for nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The process, previously halted by a court injunction, was given the green light following a ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who allowed Parliament to proceed with vetting while halting the final appointment until legal challenges are resolved.
President William Ruto nominated Erastus Ethekon as the new IEBC Chairperson, alongside commissioners Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla. The High Court had temporarily stopped the process after a petition by activists Boniface Mwangi and Kelvin Roy Omondi, who claimed the nomination list lacked fairness and inclusivity.
Despite the court’s partial go-ahead, the final appointments remain suspended pending a constitutional review. Nevertheless, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has maintained that Parliament must carry out its constitutional mandate, warning against what he termed as “institutional overreach” by the Judiciary.
“The Judiciary is expected to allow Parliament to conclude its work before any litigation can be entertained,” said Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, emphasizing the principle of separation of powers.
Today’s hearings at County Hall, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., will see all seven nominees appear before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee. The fast-tracked Saturday session signals urgency as the delay in reconstituting the IEBC continues to spark concerns ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Election Observation Group national coordinator Mulle Musau expressed fears that the prolonged vacancy undermines the credibility and efficiency of the electoral process. Already, six constituencies, one county, and several wards are without elected representatives due to the absence of a functional commission to conduct by-elections.
The outcome of today’s vetting is expected to significantly impact the timeline for restoring full operational capacity to the IEBC and, by extension, the country’s democratic readiness. The National Assembly had earlier invited public submissions on the suitability of the nominees, underscoring the high stakes surrounding the commission’s reconstitution.
