Nairobi, Kenya – July 11, 2025
Chief Justice Martha Koome has issued a passionate call for integrity, transparency, and constitutional fidelity from the newly sworn-in Chairperson and Commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), as the Commission begins its critical mandate ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking during the official swearing-in ceremony at the Supreme Court in Nairobi, Justice Koome congratulated the new officeholders and reminded them of the weighty responsibility now entrusted to them by the Kenyan public.
“This is not just a legal formality,” she said. “It is a solemn handover of one of the most sacred responsibilities in our democracy: to safeguard the right of every Kenyan to participate in free, fair, and credible elections.”
The Chief Justice emphasized that the reconstitution of the IEBC comes at a pivotal moment for the country, noting widespread public discontent—particularly among the youth—over the transparency and accountability of key public institutions.
Justice Koome decried the two-year delay in reconstituting the Commission, which she said had created a dangerous leadership vacuum and stalled vital democratic processes. “Now that the Commission is fully constituted, I urge you to move with speed in preparing for the 2027 General Elections,” she stated.
Underscoring the role of the IEBC as more than just an election management body, the Chief Justice described it as “a cornerstone of our democratic governance,” whose conduct would significantly shape the legitimacy of government, national peace, and public trust in the rule of law.
“Your work directly impacts the legitimacy of government, peace and stability of the nation, and public confidence in the rule of law,” she said. “The Commission must be, and be seen to be, independent, impartial, neutral, efficient, and professional.”
Koome noted that public trust in institutions remains fragile, with many Kenyans losing faith in state organs due to persistent failures in accountability and fairness. She challenged the Commission to reverse this trend through ethical leadership and principled decision-making.
“Democracy is not sustained by laws and institutions alone,” she added. “It is sustained by trust, fairness, and the belief of every citizen that their voice and their vote matter. You have the opportunity—and the obligation—to nurture and restore that belief.”
Her address served as a firm reminder that the constitutional mandate of the IEBC is not merely procedural, but deeply moral and political. As the country gears up for the 2027 elections, all eyes will be on the Commission to rebuild public confidence in the electoral process and uphold Kenya’s democratic values.
Written by Were Kelly
