Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah has been elected Vice Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), just a few hours after she and six other commissioners were sworn into office.

Her election was confirmed during the Commission’s 288th Plenary Meeting held on Friday, July 11, at the agency’s boardroom.

IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, who presided over the meeting, congratulated Fahima on her new leadership role.

“Following the gazettement and subsequent swearing in of the Chairperson and members of the Commission, we are pleased to announce to members of the public and stakeholders that the Commission in its 288th Plenary Meeting elected Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission,” Ethekon said.

He added: “The Commission takes this opportunity to congratulate Commissioner Fahima on her election.”

Fahima will now serve as the second-in-command to Ethekon at the electoral body, which is expected to oversee major democratic processes including the 2027 general election.

Ethekon further assured the public that the new team is ready to begin its work and is committed to transparency and constitutional order.

“We assure members of the public and our stakeholders that the Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening Kenya’s democracy,” he said.

The announcement came just hours after the seven-member team took the oath of office at the Supreme Court Buildings, in a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

Chairperson Ethekon and Commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah will now serve a six-year term.

Their appointment had earlier been formalised by President William Ruto through Gazette Notices No. 9269 and 9270, both dated July 10, 2025, after the High Court allowed the re-gazettement of the team.

The court had quashed earlier notices, Gazette Nos. 7724 and 7725 citing violations of interim conservatory orders.

However, the three-judge bench, comprising Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye, declined to cancel the appointments themselves, noting that the irregularity was procedural and not tied to the suitability of those appointed.

With the legal questions now cleared, the Commission has fully taken shape and is expected to begin discharging its mandate, including laying the groundwork for upcoming electoral processes.