Nairobi, Kenya- The race to rebuild Kenya’s electoral commission is officially on.
Following President William Ruto’s submission of nominees to head the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the National Assembly has kicked off the vetting process—moving swiftly even as political temperatures begin to rise ahead of 2027.
In a notice issued on May 12, National Assembly Clerk Samwel Njoroge confirmed that the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) will hold public vetting hearings for the seven IEBC nominees on Monday, May 26, 2025, beginning at 9:00 a.m. sharp.
And this isn’t just political formality—Kenyans have until May 21 at 5:00 p.m. to submit any objections backed by sworn affidavits and supporting documentation to the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Who’s Up for the Hot Seats?
Leading the charge is Erastus Edung Ethekon, President Ruto’s pick for IEBC chairperson. He’ll face the vetting panel first, followed by commissioner nominees Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla—each given a 60-minute window to make their case before the George Murugara-led committee.
Here’s the play-by-play:
- 9:00 a.m. – Ethekon
- 10:30 a.m. – Nderitu
- 11:30 a.m. – Mukwana
- 12:30 p.m. – Sorobit
- 2:30 p.m. – Noor
- 3:30 p.m. – Odhiambo
- 4:30 p.m. – Fahima
All eyes will be on the committee’s ability to ask the right questions and test the nominees’ understanding of electoral law, governance, and neutrality—especially after months of IEBC dormancy that delayed by-elections and border reviews.
Transparency in the Spotlight
In a rare nod to public accountability, Parliament has opened the floor for citizen participation. Any Kenyan with concerns about a nominee’s integrity or track record is invited to present objections—provided they come with hard evidence and a sworn statement. This is in line with Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution and the Public Appointments Act, both of which stress open vetting processes for constitutional office bearers.
Meanwhile, the nominees are expected to show up prepared—not just with speeches, but with their full suite of compliance documents from agencies like the EACC, KRA, HELB, DCI, Registrar of Political Parties, and the Credit Reference Bureau. No certificate? No appointment.
What’s at Stake?
This isn’t just a routine HR exercise. The IEBC team being vetted now will be tasked with steering the commission through some major political hurdles, including pending by-elections and the monumental 2027 general election. With Kenya’s political future hanging in the balance, the credibility of this vetting process is key.
It’s a crucial moment—and the pressure is on both Parliament and the nominees to rise to it.
