They are Competent: Parliament Approves All Seven IEBC Nominees

The National Assembly has overwhelmingly approved all the seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), including chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon.

Mr Ethekon was nominated by President William Ruto on 8^th May 2025 to replace Wafula Chebukati.

The approved commissioners are Ann Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu) and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).

Speaking Wednesday afternoon during a motion on the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) report, majority of the members supported the report saying the approval now clears a major hurdle in the long-delayed reconstitution of the country’s electoral body.

The legislators led by Majority leader, Mr Kimani Ichung’wa, said that reconstitution of the electoral body would allow ample time for the country to not only prepare for the general elections but to conduct pending by-elections among others.

The members said the nominees proved to be competent for the task during the vetting with majority of them having a vast of experience on matters election management and dispute resolutions.

The mover of the motion, who is also the JLAC Chairperson, Mr George Murugara, said the nominees had been thoroughly vetted and were found suitable to serve as commissioners.

Mr Murugara challenged the nominees to build public trust by ensuring credible polls.

The approval now paves way for the formal appointment by President William Ruto and swearing-in of the nominated chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, and the six nominees for commissioners to the IEBC.

The IEBC has been without commissioners since January 2023, following the resignation of the team led by former Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, who died in February.

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