Nairobi: The Chief Justice (CJ), Martha Koome, has sworn in members of the Selection Panel as the Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The two selected appointees, Carolene Kituku and Fatuma Saman, took the Oath of Office on Friday, pledging to obey, respect, and uphold the Constitution of Kenya and all of its laws.
According to Kenya News Agency, during the swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court of Kenya, the CJ emphasized the need for the IEBC to serve the Kenyan people with commitment and integrity. She remarked that the responsibility assumed by the appointees is a solemn call to serve the people of Kenya and safeguard the Constitution. Koome also urged the appointees to resist any influences that might compromise the credibility of the electoral process, reaffirming IEBC’s commitment to independence as outlined in the Constitution.
The CJ called upon institutions and stakeholders involved in the IEBC process, including political actors, civil society, Parliament, and the general public, to ensure that the process of establishing the new IEBC Commission is conducted with integrity and transparency. Koome stressed that the IEBC must function independently, free from political and external interference, and that the commission should not be partisan.
Chief Registrar of the Judiciary, Winfridah Mokaya, highlighted that Article 88 of the Constitution establishes the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which is responsible for conducting and supervising elections. She congratulated the selected appointees on their nominations, noting that under the IEBC Act, the Commission consists of a Chairperson and six members who are selected competitively by a Selection Panel and appointed by the President with the approval of the National Assembly.