Kenyan County Governors-Elect Officially Gazetted by IEBC

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has published a gazette notice announcing the election results and names of the 45 County Governors-elect and their deputies in Kenya. The notice, issued by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, includes the number of votes each candidate received in the August 9 elections. However, the counties of Kakamega and Mombasa are not listed as their governor elections were postponed until August 29.

Among the elected governors are Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Wesley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet), Cecily Mbarire (Embu), Eric Mutai (Kericho), and Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), among others. The incoming county bosses were gazetted by the county secretaries on August 19.

According to the law, the governors are required to be sworn in within ten days of being declared winners by the IEBC. The swearing-in ceremonies are scheduled to take place on the first Thursday following the ten-day period. The oath or affirmation of office is to be administered by a High Court Judge in a public ceremony, as stipulated by the Assumption of the Office of Governor Act 2019.

To facilitate the swearing-in ceremonies, Chief Justice Martha Koome has appointed 47 judges to preside over the events. The appointed judges include William Musyoka, Weldon Korir, James Wakiaga, and several Lady Justices.

To ensure a smooth transition and avoid delays in assuming office, Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi has issued guidelines for the oath-taking ceremonies. These measures aim to support the transition of power, especially in counties where governors have reached their maximum two-term limit of 10 years as per the Constitution.