New IEBC team sworn in

The swearing in of the newly appointed Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson and six commissioners is underway at the Supreme Court.

This follows their re-gazettment after a three-judge bench on Thursday evening dismissed a petition that challenged the selection and nomination of Erastus Ethekon Edung as Chairperson of the Commission, Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as Commissioners.

However, the judges quashed a Gazette Notice dated June 10, 2025, issued by President William Ruto appointing the seven individuals, and directed that a new Gazette Notice be issued to regularise their appointment, which was done immediately, paving the way for them to take the oath of office.

The new team takes over at a critical time, with several mini polls pending and exactly two years to the 2027 General Election.

Several constituencies and wards have lacked representation after the seats fell vacant due to various reasons, including the deaths of the office holders.

The IEBC, which is mandated to conduct a by-election that must be held to fill the vacant seat within 90 days couldn’t do so because it was not fully constituted after previous commissioners exited office.