The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially resumed full operations following the swearing-in of its new Chairperson, Edung Ethekon, and six commissioners. The ceremony, held at the Supreme Court and presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, marks the end of a lengthy leadership vacuum at the country’s top electoral agency, which had been incomplete since early 2023.
With the IEBC now fully constituted, it faces a critical early challenge: overseeing seven long-overdue by-elections for six vacant National Assembly seats and one Senate seat. Thousands of voters across the affected regions have been left without parliamentary representation due to the Commission’s previous operational paralysis.
Vacant Constituencies and Causes
- Magarini Constituency (Kilifi County)
The High Court nullified the election of MP Harrison Kombe due to irregularities. The Court of Appeal upheld the decision on May 31, 2024, officially vacating the seat. - Banisa Constituency (Mandera County)
The seat has remained vacant since March 2023 following the tragic death of MP Kullow Hassan Aden in a road accident. This constituency has been unrepresented for over two years. - Ugunja Constituency
Former MP Opiyo Wandayi resigned in July 2024 upon his appointment as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service. - Malava Constituency
The seat became vacant following the death of MP Malulu Injendi in February 2025 after a short illness. - Mbeere North Constituency
Geoffrey Ruku vacated his seat in April 2025 after joining the Cabinet. The official gazettement is pending. - Kasipul Constituency
MP Charles Ong’ondo Were was shot dead in Nairobi on April 30, 2025, leaving his seat vacant in a shocking act of violence. - Baringo County (Senatorial Seat)
Senator William Kipkorir Cheptumo passed away in February 2025, prompting a vacancy in the Senate. He had been serving as Chair of the Senate Justice and Legal Affairs Committee.
What Lies Ahead for the IEBC
The Constitution mandates that by-elections be conducted within 90 days of a declared vacancy. However, due to the IEBC’s prior incapacity, the electoral calendar fell into disarray. Now that the leadership has been restored, the Commission is expected to swiftly gazette the vacant positions and schedule by-election dates.
The upcoming mini-polls will not only be a logistical test but also a measure of public confidence in the new IEBC leadership. Political parties are expected to ramp up preparations in anticipation of official timelines.
Beyond the by-elections, the Commission is also tasked with reviving its broader electoral mandate. This includes restarting continuous voter registration, conducting a review of constituency boundaries as required by law, and laying the groundwork for the 2027 General Election.
As the IEBC turns the page on a difficult chapter, its ability to manage these immediate electoral tasks will set the tone for its credibility and effectiveness in the years ahead.
