Ruto appoints IEBC Chair and commissioners despite court orders
Their appointments were formalised through Gazette Notices No. 7724 and 7725 dated June 10, 2025.
President William Ruto has appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, alongside six commissioners, despite existing court orders stopping their gazettement and swearing-in.
Ethekon and the new commissioners, Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah, are set to serve a six-year term, as provided by Article 250 (2) of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
Their appointments were formalised through Gazette Notices No. 7724 and 7725 dated June 10, 2025.
However, the appointments come in defiance of the conservatory court orders issued earlier, which halted both the gazettement and swearing-in of the nominees pending the determination of a constitutional petition.
The orders were issued in a case filed by activists Boniface Mwangi and Kelvin Roy Omondi, who challenged the legality of the IEBC selection process, citing lack of transparency and inadequate public participation.
Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who handled the matter, allowed Parliament to vet the nominees but barred the final appointments until the court addresses key constitutional questions raised in the petition.
He ruled that the issues raised touch on the sovereignty of the people and warrant full judicial scrutiny.
Justice Mugambi also referred the matter to Chief Justice Martha Koome for the formation of a bench to hear and determine the issues raised in the case.
The petitioners argued that the process failed to meet constitutional standards, especially on inclusivity and representation of marginalised groups.
The appointments come at a critical time for the IEBC, which is responsible for managing electoral boundaries and supervising upcoming by-elections.
