The newly appointed Chairperson and six commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have officially taken the oath of office at the Supreme Court, ushering in a new leadership era at a critical juncture in Kenya’s electoral timeline.
Their swearing-in follows the re-gazettement of their appointments after a three-judge bench dismissed a petition challenging their nomination. The court upheld the integrity of the selection process involving Chairperson Erastus Ethekon Edung and Commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
While the judges invalidated a Gazette Notice dated June 10, 2025, that had earlier formalized their appointments, they directed the issuance of a new notice to regularize the process. President William Ruto complied swiftly, allowing the commissioners to be sworn in without further delay.
The team assumes office with urgent tasks awaiting them. Several parliamentary and county ward seats remain vacant due to deaths or resignations of their former occupants. These constituencies and wards have lacked elected representation for months, disrupting service delivery and local governance.
According to the law, by-elections must be held within 90 days to fill vacant seats. However, the IEBC has been unable to act as it lacked a fully constituted commission following the exit of previous commissioners. With the new team in place, the Commission is now expected to move swiftly to plan and conduct the long-delayed mini polls.
Beyond the by-elections, the IEBC must also begin laying the groundwork for the 2027 General Election, now exactly two years away. This includes reviewing constituency boundaries, voter registration drives, updating the electoral register, and rebuilding public trust in the electoral process.
Kenyans will be watching closely to see how the new commissioners handle these pressing responsibilities, with electoral integrity and transparency top of mind as the country approaches another critical election cycle.
