Ruto’s IEBC Nominees Set to Oversee Kenya’s 2027 Elections

President William Ruto is set to nominate candidates for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to the National Assembly.

This signals a decisive move to resolve the prolonged leadership crisis within the electoral body. The President's action, confirmed by a statement from State House Nairobi, follows his receipt of the final candidate list from the IEBC Selection Panel. Ruto assures adherence to constitutional principles throughout the nomination process, which must be completed within seven days, after which Parliament will vet and approve the candidates.

The reconstitution effort aims to restore full operational capacity to the IEBC, which has been crippled since the departure of former Chair Wafula Chebukati and Commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye in early 2023. The absence of a fully constituted commission has stalled critical electoral preparations, including overdue by-elections in constituencies like Baringo County and Banissa, where representation has been vacant since March 2023. 

Furthermore, the delimitation of electoral boundaries and voter registration have been put on hold, while the procurement of essential election resources remains frozen. The selection panel, led by Dr. Nelson Makanda, conducted an extensive recruitment process, interviewing 11 candidates for the chairperson position and 107 for the six commissioner roles. The current situation has forced IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan to manage operations, focusing on staff training and acquiring non-strategic materials. 

Deputy CEO Obadia Keitany recently informed Members of Parliament that voter registration has been at a standstill since 2022, citing leadership gaps and budget constraints. The IEBC's troubles extend beyond recent departures, originating from divisions following the 2022 presidential election. Four commissioners—Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi, and Irene Masit—publicly rejected the results, alleging bias toward opposition leader Raila Odinga. 

Their subsequent removal, either through tribunal proceedings or resignation, deepened the leadership vacuum. This turmoil mirrors previous electoral cycles, including the 2017 election, which saw Commissioner Roselyn Akombe flee the country, citing security concerns, and resignations by Connie Maina, Paul Kurgat, and Margaret Mwachanya due to internal mistrust.

The reconstitution process has faced political interference and legal battles, delaying critical electoral preparations. With the 2027 General Election on the horizon, the urgency to restore the IEBC reflects broader concerns about the integrity of Kenya’s electoral system. A functional electoral commission is crucial for ensuring fair competition and maintaining public confidence in the democratic process.