IEBC shake-up: National Assembly to vet chairperson, commissioners from May 27

Erastus Ethekon at a past event. Justice Lawrence Mugambi temporarily barred Parliament from proceeding with the vetting of the seven nominees, including the chairperson nominee, Erastus Edung Ethekon. (Photo: JSC)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Saturday, May 10, 2025

Once approved, the new IEBC team will take over the commission’s leadership and play a central role in managing upcoming by-elections and preparing for the 2027 General Election.

The National Assembly will start vetting a seven-member team nominated to steer the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by starting May 27, paving the way for a fresh leadership at the electoral body.

The National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee will oversee the vetting of Erastus Ethekon, who has been nominated for the position of chairperson, along with six candidates proposed to serve as commissioners.

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President William Ruto submitted the names to Parliament for approval after receiving recommendations from the IEBC selection panel.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula confirmed the process will begin immediately after the House resumes sittings.

“The committee is expected to immediately commence the approval process and, thereafter, table its report,” he said in a statement.

The clerk of the National Assembly has been tasked with informing members and coordinating the approval hearings, in line with the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.

According to parliamentary rules, the vetting committee must complete the process within 21 days after receiving the names, as provided for in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, 2011. The full House is required to consider the final report within 28 days.

Besides Ethekon, the other six nominees awaiting vetting are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdalla.

Their selection followed recommendations by a panel chaired by Nelson Makanda, which submitted its report to the President on May 6, 2025. The panel had shortlisted two candidates for the chairperson role and nine others for the six commissioner positions. The President picked seven nominees from this list.

“In recognition of the indispensable role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as one of the cornerstone institutions of our democracy and a custodian of electoral management, His Excellency the President has urged the National Assembly to prioritise the consideration of these nominations,” the statement noted.

Among those interviewed for the IEBC chairperson slot were former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and former Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Chairperson Charles Nyachae.

Other candidates for the top position included legal experts and governance specialists such as Joy Mdivo, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Lilian Wanjiku Manegene, Saul Simiyu Wasilwa, and the nominee Erastus Edung Ethekon.

Once approved, the new IEBC team will take over the commission’s leadership and play a central role in managing upcoming by-elections and preparing for the 2027 General Election.