The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of the National Assembly has recommended the approval of all seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a significant step forward in the long-delayed reconstitution of the electoral body.
Presenting the committee’s report to the House on Tuesday, JLAC Chairperson George Murugara confirmed that the nominees had undergone a thorough vetting process and were deemed fit to serve as commissioners.
“In accordance with Article 252(b) of the Constitution, the committee endorses the appointment of Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson, and Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Arafat Abdallah as members of the IEBC,” Murugara stated.
The National Assembly is now expected to debate and vote on the committee’s recommendations. If approved, this will pave the way for the formal appointment and swearing-in of the new commissioners.
President William Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson following the recommendations of the Selection Panel led by Dr. Nelson Makanda. The President also nominated six others to serve as commissioners.
This vetting process comes at a critical juncture, with mounting pressure to restore a fully constituted electoral commission in preparation for upcoming by-elections, electoral reforms, and constituency boundary reviews.
The IEBC has been without commissioners since January 2023, after the resignation of the team led by former Chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
The seven nominees appeared before JLAC last week for suitability interviews, having been formally forwarded to Parliament by the President.
Once the National Assembly gives its approval, the nominees will be appointed by the President and sworn into office—bringing an end to the prolonged impasse over the commission’s reconstitution.
