JLAC backs all Ruto's IEBC nominees, including Ethekon as chair, amid court challenge

The National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) has endorsed all seven of President William Ruto’s nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), naming Erastus Ethekon as the proposed chairperson.

In a report tabled in the National Assembly on Tuesday, JLAC Chairperson George Murugara said the committee had found all the nominees suitable for appointment.

The report is now set for debate before the full House.

“I beg to give notice of the following motion, that taking into consideration the findings of the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs in its report on the vetting of nominees for appointment as chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), laid on the Table of the House today, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, pursuant to the provisions of Article 250(2)(b) of the Constitution, [the House] approves the appointment of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the chairperson and Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” Murugara said.

High Court order

Despite the committee’s endorsement, a High Court order has barred the gazettement and swearing-in of the IEBC nominees, allowing only the vetting process to proceed.

High Court Judge Lawrence Mugambi, who issued the directive, said the matter raises constitutional concerns touching on the sovereignty of the people.

He added that the questions raised in the petition are serious and merit thorough judicial scrutiny.

The court has since referred the case to Chief Justice Martha Koome for the empanelment of a bench to hear and determine the constitutional issues raised.

The petitioners argue that the President acted unlawfully in making the nominations and that some of the individuals do not meet the required eligibility criteria for appointment.

In its response, the National Assembly maintained that the court’s intervention was premature and not in the public interest.

It contended that stopping the process would undermine public participation and interfere with a time-bound constitutional procedure.

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