Two remaining members of the selection panel for the recruitment of nominees for appointment as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have taken their oath of office.

In a ceremony presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, Carolyne Kituku, nominated by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and Fatuma Saman, nominated by the Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, subscribed to the oath of office on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Seven of the nine members appointed by President William Ruto were sworn in earlier this week on Monday, January 27, 2025.

They included Prof Adams Oloo, Lindah Kiome Gakii, James Evans Misati, Nicodemus Bore, Koki Muli, Andrew Kipkoech Tanui, and Dr Nelson Makanda.

However, the selection panel could not embark on their task ahead due to quorum issues as the two had been sworn in. It was not immediately explained why the two missed the swearing-in ceremony on Monday, January 27, 2025.

What next

The swearing-in of Carolyne Kituku and Fatuma Saman now paves the way for the selection panel to outline their mandate and next steps in the recruitment process.

They are expected to address the press after convening their first sitting to give a deep insight into what their task would entail. The nine-member team is also expected to give timeliness of the exercise.

While presiding over the swearing-in ceremony, CJ Koome challenged the members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission(IEBC) selection panel to pick individuals of untainted credibility to lead the electoral body ahead of the 2027 polls.

The president of the apex court argued that Kenya’s future democracy depends on the people who they will recommend to occupy the offices which were left vacant by the former IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye who exited office on January 17, 2023.

“This is why your task is of the utmost significance. The future of Kenya’s democracy depends on the integrity of the men and women you select to lead the IEBC. The commissioners you appoint must be individuals of untainted credibility—committed to independence, impartiality, and the principles enshrined in our Constitution. The IEBC is not just another government agency; it is the custodian of our electoral integrity, and its composition must reflect the highest standards
of professionalism and credibility,” CJ Koome stated.

“Today, I urge all institutions and stakeholders involved in this process—Parliament, political actors, civil society, and the public—to ensure that the recruitment of new IEBC Commissioners is conducted with speed, integrity, and transparency. The Kenyan people expect and deserve nothing less,” she added.

Besides Koome, various stakeholders called on the selection panel to expedite the nomination process that would the country get the commissioners on time. On his part, Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula raised fears that the exercise of boundary delimitation may not be carried out due to the time factor.