Kenyan President William Ruto has formally approved the appointment of a new chairperson and six commissioners to lead the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a significant step in a nation with a history of contested elections.
According to a legal notice issued late Thursday, the new commissioners will serve a six-year term and are scheduled to be sworn in on Friday.
The appointments come amid rising public discontent, especially among Kenyan youth, over the soaring cost of living, police violence, and ongoing concerns about corruption. Ruto’s administration is under increasing pressure as the country prepares for its next general elections in 2027.
The IEBC had operated without leadership since 2023, following the expiry of terms for the former chairperson and two commissioners. The commission’s operations were further destabilized after four commissioners were suspended by President Ruto in December 2022 for rejecting the official results of that year’s presidential election.
That dispute ultimately reached Kenya’s Supreme Court, which upheld Ruto’s victory and dismissed the commissioners’ claims of irregularities in vote tallying.
The appointment process for the new commission faced delays due to multiple legal challenges, which were dismissed by the Supreme Court on Thursday, clearing the way for Ruto’s final approval.
Under Kenya’s law, IEBC officials are selected through a public interview process conducted by a special panel, then submitted to the president for formal appointment.
The revamped commission is expected to play a pivotal role in rebuilding public trust and ensuring electoral transparency ahead of the next national vote.
