NAIROBI —As Kenya prepares to rebuild its electoral body, one of the country’s top religious organizations has stepped into the fray urging lawmakers to stop the politicking and approve President William Ruto’s nominees without delay.
The Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM) issued a public statement on Monday, throwing its weight behind the recently nominated chairperson and six commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
“We have iron-clad confidence in the work of the Selection Panel and fully support the President’s choices,” the council said. “Any further delay would harm public trust and slow down urgent electoral reforms.”
SUPKEM is part of the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, which nominated representatives to the panel that shortlisted candidates for the IEBC. Their support signals growing pressure on Parliament to approve the list and move forward.
Tensions Over Process
The endorsement comes amid political tension. Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been among the most vocal critics of the process, accusing Ruto of shutting out opposition voices.
“The President cannot make such decisions unilaterally,” Kalonzo said during a rally over the weekend. “Consultation with all political players is a must if the electoral body is to be seen as neutral and fair.”
His remarks echo a broader concern one that has dogged electoral reforms in Kenya for years: that the IEBC, if stacked with partisan figures, could tilt the field in favor of the ruling party.
But SUPKEM rejected those claims as both premature and politically charged.
“Some of the leaders now criticising the nominations had their own trusted representatives on the Selection Panel,” the council said. “If they now doubt the process, they should question their own participation. The right place to raise any concerns is during the vetting process in Parliament—not on political platforms.”
Who’s on the List?
Among those nominated is Erastus Edung Ethekon, tapped to be the new chairperson. He is joined by six commissioner nominees: Ann Nderitu, currently the Registrar of Political Parties; Moses Alutalala Mukhwana; Mary Karen Sorobit; Hassan Noor Hassan; Francis Odhiambo Aduol; and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The appointments follow months of pressure on the government to reconstitute the electoral body after the last commission was dissolved following the 2022 elections. With only two years until the next general election cycle formally begins, the clock is ticking.
What Happens Next?
The National Assembly is expected to begin vetting the nominees in the coming weeks. Should Parliament approve them, the new team will oversee electoral boundary reviews, voter registration, and future polls.
Analysts warn, however, that any perception of bias could fuel mistrust and unrest, particularly as Kenya’s political landscape continues to polarise.
“This process must be seen as transparent and inclusive,” said political analyst Nerima Wako-Ojiwa. “The IEBC isn’t just another commission it’s the referee in a high-stakes game. If any side feels the rules are being rewritten, it can quickly spiral.”
For now, though, religious leaders like SUPKEM are urging politicians to rise above the fray.
“There’s a time for campaigning,” the council said. “This is a time for building institutions.”
