NAIROBI — Kenya’s Parliament took a crucial step on Tuesday towards ending a nearly 18-month deadlock over the country’s electoral commission.
The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) of the National Assembly recommended the approval of all seven nominees to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a move that could finally bring stability to an institution seen as central to the country’s democracy.
In a report tabled before the House, JLAC chairperson George Murugara said the candidates had been thoroughly vetted and cleared.
“They met the requirements under Article 252 of the Constitution,” Murugara told MPs. “The committee recommends the appointment of Erastus Edung Ethekon as chairperson, along with six other members.”
The other nominees are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Arafat Abdallah. Each hails from a different region of the country, a deliberate effort to reflect Kenya’s ethnic and regional diversity.
The National Assembly is expected to debate the report this week. If passed, it would allow President William Ruto to formally appoint the commissioners, who would then be sworn into office.
The IEBC has been effectively paralysed since January 2023, when the previous commissioners including former chairperson Wafula Chebukati vacated their positions following the disputed 2022 presidential election and a wave of public criticism.
Since then, calls for a full commission have grown louder, particularly with key by-elections looming and pressure mounting for electoral and boundary reforms.
Dr Nelson Makanda, who led the IEBC Selection Panel, said the nominees were chosen for their integrity, regional balance, and experience. “This team represents a mix of legal, public service, and electoral expertise,” he said last month.
But not everyone is entirely convinced.
Some opposition lawmakers have raised concerns about transparency in the selection process, arguing that it appeared rushed and overly influenced by the executive. Others have called for broader reforms to how electoral commissioners are picked, suggesting the system still lacks public trust.
Even so, Tuesday’s recommendation marks the most significant progress yet in reconstituting the IEBC.
For citizens and election observers, the stakes are high. The commission’s next tasks include managing upcoming by-elections, preparing for a likely referendum on constitutional changes, and overseeing the sensitive issue of constituency boundary reviews a process known to stir political tensions.
“This is not just about elections,” said political analyst Nerima Wako. “A credible and fully staffed IEBC is critical for public confidence in governance, especially in a country where elections have often been contested.”
The seven nominees appeared before JLAC last week, where they answered questions on everything from their past professional conduct to their views on election technology and vote integrity.
If approved by Parliament and sworn in by the President, they will inherit a commission in urgent need of rebuilding structurally and reputationally.
What happens next will shape Kenya’s political landscape for years to come.
