With the swearing-in of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) leadership, public attention has shifted sharply toward how the team will navigate Kenya’s political future. Former nominated senator Millicent Omanga has warned the commission that their actions will be closely scrutinized, as preparations begin for what she termed “probably the most consequential election in our history.”
The new IEBC, chaired by Erastus Edung Ethekon, assumes office after a two-year leadership vacuum and under the shadow of the tumultuous 2022 General Election. That election cycle was marred by division within the commission, with the infamous “Cherera Four” disowning the presidential results moments before they were announced. The fallout led to multiple resignations and a tribunal that found one commissioner unfit to serve, leaving a tainted legacy behind.
Chief Justice Martha Koome set the tone for the new team during the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court, stating that Kenyans, particularly the youth, are demanding transparency, accountability, and integrity from public institutions. “The cry from every corner of our nation is for justice,” she emphasized.
Omanga echoed this sentiment in a statement on X, underscoring that the 2027 General Election will be a defining moment for the country. “With the new IEBC now in place, it sets the pace for conducting by-elections but more importantly, the 2027 elections,” she stated. “Kenyans will be watching their moves.”
The fully constituted commission includes Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. Their immediate tasks include conducting pending by-elections and addressing electoral boundary reviews both politically sensitive processes.
As the countdown to 2027 begins, public trust in the IEBC remains fragile. The new commissioners will need to demonstrate impartiality, professionalism, and a strong commitment to electoral integrity. Their success or failure will shape Kenya’s democratic trajectory and determine whether the wounds of 2022 can truly be healed. The path to 2027 has officially begun and it’s one lined with expectation and scrutiny.
