By Neville Oduor
The National Assembly of Kenya has greenlit a new team for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), paving the way for electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The approval, announced on June 4, 2025, via the National Assembly’s official X handle, confirmed Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson, alongside commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Arafat Abdallah.
The decision follows a vetting process by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), which cleared the nominees on June 3, 2025.
“The National Assembly has approved the appointment of Mr. Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson, alongside Ms. Ann Njeri Nderitu, Mr. Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Ms. Mary Karen Sorobit, Mr. Hassan Noor Hassan, Mr. Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Ms. Fahima Arafat Abdallah as members of the IEBC,” the Assembly’s statement read.
Representing regions like Nyandarua, Kakamega, Uasin Gishu, Mandera, Kisumu, and Lamu, the team aims to ensure regional balance, but their ties to President William Ruto’s regime have sparked debate.
Erastus Edung Ethekon’s nomination has drawn scrutiny due to his longstanding association with Josphat Nanok, a key Ruto ally and the current Deputy Chief of Staff.
Political analysts point to Ethekon’s past role as a Chief Technical Advisor on Area-Based Development Programming at the UNDP, where he collaborated with government-aligned initiatives, as evidence of his alignment with the regime.
Additionally, during the vetting process, opposition figures raised concerns over Mary Karen Sorobit and Hassan Noor Hassan, alleging their selections were influenced by their vocal support for Ruto’s policies during the 2022 campaigns.
“These nominees are too close to the executive to guarantee impartiality,” argued a senior opposition MP, who spoke anonymously.
The IEBC has been without commissioners since January 2023, following controversies over the 2022 election, where the opposition accused the body of favoring Ruto.
As the new team steps in to address issues like ethnic-based voting, highlighted by Mukhwana during vetting, Kenyans remain watchful of whether the commission can restore trust in the electoral system.