Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) are calling on the public to restore their confidence in the electoral body, arguing that the current team should not be held responsible for the failures of their predecessors.

According to Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, Kenyans should separate the current office holders from the historical controversies that have long shadowed the institution.

Speaking during an interview with a local station on Tuesday, March 24, 2025, Atutalala defended the integrity of the new office, noting that they have only been in their positions for seven months.

“Our problem is not about who is in office today; our problem is that we have inherited an institution whose reputation has been dented over the years,” Atutalala stated.

Fair Election

The commissioner discussed the chairperson’s professional background to alleviate concerns about their ability to lead. The commissioner asked why people would doubt their ability to hold a fair election so soon after they took office.

He emphasised that the new officials should not be punished for the sins of their predecessors.

“We are asking Kenyans to give us a chance; we have not stolen anybody’s votes, ballots, and therefore, let’s learn to move on from past troubles and allow new officers who come to work to prove their worth,” Atutalala said.

Historical Mistrust

Atutalala said the commission offered a firm assurance of honesty and transparency to all Kenyans moving forward.

He said that the nation should forgive the past and let the new office deliver, adding that they should be judged by what they deliver, not by those of their predecessors.

“We’ll be honest with Kenyans. Where we go wrong, we’ll be honest enough to admit and make amends. The nation should forgive the past and let the new office deliver, judge us by what we deliver, but don’t judge us by what our predecessors did,” Atutalala said.

New era at IEBC

The new commissioners were sworn into office on Friday, July 11, 2025.

Erastus Edung Ethekon is now the new IEBC Chairman, while Ann Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Aduol, and Fahima Abdallah are the new commissioners.

The ceremony was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome at the Supreme Court building.

This comes a day after the High Court dismissed a petition filed by Kelvin Roy Omondi and Boniface Mwangi barring the seven nominees from gazettement, and taking the oath of office.