President Ruto Gazettes IEBC Team Despite Court Orders

NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has officially gazetted the appointment of a new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) team, bypassing a High Court order that had barred their swearing-in.

In a Gazette notice issued Tuesday evening, Ruto named Erastus Edung Ethekon as the IEBC Chairperson for a six-year term. He also appointed six commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. The appointments were made under Article 250(2) of the Constitution and provisions of the IEBC Act.

The appointments come despite an active legal dispute. On May 19, the High Court issued conservatory orders blocking the vetting and approval of the nominees, following a petition by civil society actors. The petition alleged constitutional violations and claimed executive interference in the recruitment process. It argued that the nominations breached Articles 10, 232, and 250(3) and (4) of the Constitution, which govern public appointments.

Although the High Court later permitted the National Assembly to proceed with vetting, it upheld the orders barring gazettement and swearing-in pending a final ruling.

President Ruto’s move has raised alarms within legal circles, with constitutional experts warning it could lead to further legal consequences. Critics argue that bypassing the judiciary undermines the rule of law and the independence of key institutions.

The new IEBC team faces a significant mandate to prepare for the 2027 General Election, but its legitimacy now hangs in the balance. Analysts predict fresh court battles could stall the commission’s full operationalization, compounding the already fragile trust in Kenya’s electoral process.