President William Ruto has appointed Erastus Edung Ethekon as Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), alongside six commissioners, despite a standing High Court order barring their gazettement and swearing-in.
The appointments were formalised through Gazette Notices No. 7724 and 7725, dated 10 June 2025. Erastus Edung Ethekon will serve a six-year term, in accordance with the provisions of Article 250(2) of the Constitution and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act.
The same gazette notices also confirmed the appointment of Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as commissioners, also for a six-year term.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250(2), as read with Section 5(2) of the IEBC Act and Paragraph 4 of the First Schedule, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya, appoint Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah to serve as members of the IEBC for a six-year term,” read part of the gazette notice.
The legality of the appointments is under judicial scrutiny. A three-judge bench comprising Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye has scheduled the hearing of a petition challenging the process for 23 June 2025.
While Parliament completed the vetting process and gave its approval, the High Court had specifically restrained the Executive from proceeding to the next phase — the swearing-in. “Pending the hearing and determination of this petition, a conservatory order is hereby issued forbidding the gazettement, taking of oath, or assumption of office by the interested parties,” Justice Mugambi ruled.
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