The newly appointed Chairperson and six commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have officially been sworn in at the Supreme Court setting the stage for the preparation of the next general election and delimitation of boundaries.
Their swearing-in follows a fresh Gazette Notice issued by President William Ruto, as directed by a three-judge bench that dismissed a petition challenging their selection and nomination.
The court had earlier nullified the initial Gazette Notice dated June 10, 2025, citing procedural irregularities, but upheld the validity of the appointments.
In their judgment, the court found that the petition lacked merit and was not properly founded under Article 22 of the Constitution.
However, the judges quashed a Gazette Notice dated 10th June, 2025, issued by President William Ruto citing contravention of the conservatory orders dated and issued by the Court on 29th May, 2025 which prohibited, the gazettement and appointment of Erustus Ethekon Edung as Chairperson of the Commission, and Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as Commissioners
Consequently, shortly after the High Court delivered its ruling, a fresh Gazette Notice dated 10th July, 2025, was issued, with the President formally appointing the seven nominees in compliance with the Court’s directive.
The new team, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon Edung, includes commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
They assume office at a crucial time, with several by-elections pending and just two years to the 2027 General Election.