Kenya's democracy, future in IEBC's hands - CJ Koome

Chief Justice Martha Koome has warned that the future of Kenya’s democracy depends on how the new electoral commission conducts itself, urging the team to lead with honesty, fairness and full respect for the Constitution.

Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and six commissioners at the Supreme Court Buildings on Friday, Koome said Kenyans are looking to the commission to restore confidence in public institutions and deliver trusted elections.

Koome welcomed the team and reminded them that the power they now hold belongs to the people of Kenya.

“Kenya does not belong to politicians. It does not belong to the judiciary. It does not belong to the IEBC, the police or any other institution. Kenya belongs to all of us, and no one has a right to trample over others,” she said.

The Chief Justice described their new responsibility as one that demands competence, courage, impartiality and deep commitment to constitutionalism. She warned that in a time when public trust in institutions is low, the commissioners must rise above the crisis and show leadership through actions, not words.

“There is undoubtedly a great deal of public trust deficit, especially between the government and the citizenry, which requires serious engagement for us to rebuild,” she said.

The Chief Justice said the IEBC must now begin urgent preparations for the 2027 General Election, especially since the country had been without a full commission for over two years.

“This institutional vacuum has delayed several key processes that are vital to Kenya’s democratic health,” she noted.

Koome also reminded the commissioners of Kenya’s history of election-related violence, warning that the stakes of their work are extremely high.

“Let me also mention Kenya’s painful history of disputed elections, cycles of violence and loss of life and property, which is a stark reminder that elections are not just political events… They are national security,” she said.

Emphasising independence, she urged the commissioners never to allow their decisions to be influenced by any party. “You must ensure that every decision, every action, every process you preside over adheres strictly to constitutional principles,” she said.

CJ Koome also called on the commissioners to repair damaged trust between the public and government institutions. She said the judiciary had already begun this process through the Court Users Committees and encouraged IEBC to adopt civic education as a tool to rebuild confidence.

“The greatest aspect of rebuilding for me is the broken relationships of trust between the people and the institutions of government,” she said.

The new IEBC team, Erastus Ethekon, Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah, took office after President Ruto reissued Gazette Notices No. 9269 and 9270 on July 10.

The High Court had earlier cancelled the original notices due to breach of interim orders but allowed the appointments to stand, citing no fault in merit.

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As she concluded, CJ Koome reminded the commissioners that public office is a trust that must be earned daily.

“The Kenyan people are watching. They expect nothing less than a commission that will deliver an electoral process that is peaceful, legitimate, transparent and verifiable,” she said.