Twelve embassies in Kenya have jointly praised President William Ruto’s administration following the recent appointment of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), alongside six new commissioners.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the ambassadors and high commissioners representing Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Sweden, and Finland emphasized the importance of strong, independent institutions in safeguarding democracy and the rule of law.

The envoys underscored IEBC’s pivotal role in delivering free, fair, and transparent elections, expressing confidence in the new team’s ability to serve all Kenyans with integrity.

“We trust the new commissioners will carry out their mandate with impartiality, transparency and professionalism,” the joint statement read.

The diplomatic missions also called on the National Assembly and the National Treasury to ensure timely and adequate funding for the commission, which they said is vital for IEBC’s independence and operational effectiveness.

Further, the embassies encouraged all relevant institutions to take proactive steps to ensure that every eligible Kenyan has the opportunity to register and participate in the electoral process.

The joint statement reaffirmed the diplomatic community’s continued commitment to supporting Kenya’s democratic processes and strengthening public confidence in its electoral systems.

The newly appointed IEBC team includes:

• Chairperson: Erastus Edung Ethekon
• Commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.

Their swearing-in marks a significant step in rebuilding the country’s electoral body ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.