Kaluma to CJ Koome: Swear in IEBC commissioners without delay
The push to operationalise Kenya’s electoral body has taken a sharp political turn after Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma urged Chief Justice Martha Koome to immediately swear in the newly appointed IEBC commissioners.
Kaluma, on July 11, 2025, took to X with a direct message: “Chief Justice, swear the @IEBCKenya Commissioners into office now. Kenya doesn’t have the luxury of time.”
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His call comes just hours after a three-judge High Court bench dismissed a petition challenging the appointment of the new commissioners.
The bench—comprising Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye—cleared the way for the appointments, which were promptly formalised by President William Ruto in a gazette notice dated July 10, 2025.
Ruto gazetted new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Erastus Ethekon and six commissioners.
The gazette comes moments after the High Court upheld the nomination of the seven commissioners, after a three-judge bench led by Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye dismissed a petition challenging the nomination of the commissioners.
“In exercise of the powers conferred by Article 250 (2) as read with section 5 (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act and Paragraph 4 of the First Schedule to the Act, I, William Samoei Ruto, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, appoint Erastus Edung Ethekon to be the Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission for a period of six (6) years,” Ruto stated.
Kaluma’s urgency is tied to the commission’s critical role ahead of the 2027 General Election. “We want @IEBCKenya to rid the register of dead and multiple voters, undertake the bye-elections, and adequately prepare for the 2027 general elections,” he stated, emphasising long-standing concerns over voter roll integrity.
Kaluma branded opponents of the process as “anarchists” and added, “Let the anarchists/weak opposition face us patriots at the ballot!” The comment reflects a sharpened contest between political camps as parties gear up for 2027.
As political and institutional pressure mounts, all eyes are now on the judiciary. Whether Koome will act swiftly to administer the oath of office remains the key question. For Kaluma, he says, this moment could shape the credibility and legitimacy of the 2027 polls.
