President William RutoIn a significant development for Kenya’s electoral landscape, President William Samoei Ruto has appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Ethekon will serve for a term of six years, in line with the provisions of Article 250 (2) of the Constitution and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act.
The appointments were formalised through Gazette Notices No. 7724 and 7725, dated June 10, 2025.
Alongside Ethekon’s appointment, six new commissioners were named to the IEBC: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. Each of the new members will also serve for a term of six years.
Last month, the High Court gave a green light for Parliament to proceed with the vetting of President William Ruto’s nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Selection Panel.
The court, however, issued conservatory orders stopping their gazettement and swearing-in.
The decision follows a petition filed by activists Boniface Mwangi and Kelvin Roy Omondi, who challenged the legality of the selection process.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who presided over the case, ruled that while Parliament can continue with the vetting, the appointments cannot be finalised until the court resolves key constitutional questions.
He noted that the issues raised in the petition touch on the sovereignty of the people and warrant serious judicial scrutiny.
The petitioners argued that the selection process lacked transparency and adequate public participation, violating constitutional requirements, especially regarding inclusivity and representation of marginalised groups.
Justice Mugambi acknowledged the significance of these concerns and stated that they raise substantial legal questions.
As a result, he referred the matter to Chief Justice Martha Koome for the empanelment of a bench to hear and determine the constitutional issues raised.
The ruling effectively placed the final appointment of IEBC panel members on hold pending further judicial review that was slated for June 23.
The appointments by Ruto come at a crucial time for the IEBC, which is tasked with overseeing the conduct of by-elections and managing electoral boundaries in the country.
With a new team in place, the commission is expected to gear up for the next electoral cycle and address issues of electoral integrity and public trust.
The new chairperson and commissioners will be expected to steer reforms aimed at enhancing transparency and efficiency in Kenya’s electoral processes.
The appointments have already generated significant public interest, with stakeholders keen to see how the new team will navigate the challenges of electoral management, particularly in the lead-up to the 2027 general elections
