In a move aimed at strengthening its operations ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in Kenya has transferred over 20 senior election officials across various counties. This decision, announced in a letter signed by IEBC's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Ruth Kulundu, is part of the commission's routine administrative exercise to fill vacant positions, post promoted officers to new stations, and enhance performance at the grassroots level.
The transfers come as the IEBC prepares for the 2027 general elections, with the commission having announced that August 10, 2027, will be the polling day. According to IEBC Chairman, Erastus Ethekon, the changes are a normal procedure, especially after the commission recruited new officers to replace those who have retired, died, or left the service. He emphasized that the transfers are not politically motivated or related to the integrity of the officials involved.
Among those transferred include Beatrice Muli from Kiambu to Taita-Taveta; Hudson Salenoi from Vihiga to Turkana; Rebecca Abwaku from Homa Bay to Trans Nzoia; Reuben Mbuu from Makueni to Kitui; and Amosi Chilai from Nairobi to Kakamega. Other affected officials are Japheth Lagat, Grace Anyang, Husna Hassa, Zahara Hassan, Sheikh Abdi, Engor Emmanuel, Frank Boinet, Sidney Namulungu, John Mwangi, and Saumu Chirchir, who have been redeployed to various counties.
County election officials play a crucial role in the preparation of elections, including voter registration, training, transportation of materials, and management of polling activities. Ethekon assured that the exercise will continue as vacant positions at the constituency level are filled. The next step, he said, involves filling gaps at the constituency level.
The IEBC has also set a schedule for activities leading up to the 2027 elections. Political parties are expected to submit names and signatures of their accredited officials by October 15, 2026. Party nomination rules are to be validated by the Registrar of Political Parties by October 30 and submitted to IEBC by November 6. Public officials intending to run in the elections will be required to resign from their positions by February 10, 2027.
Ethekon stressed that the transfers aim to ensure that each county has a suitable officer before the election activities enter their most critical phase. He noted that officials do not have tenure in specific stations and must be willing to work in new postings. The IEBC's Acting CEO, Ruth Kulundu, was appointed on August 5, following the end of Moses Ledama Sunkuli's six-month tenure in the position.
Key points
- The IEBC has transferred over 20 senior election officials across various counties in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
- The transfers are part of the commission's routine administrative exercise and not politically motivated, according to IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon.
- The commission has set a schedule for activities leading up to the 2027 elections, including voter registration and nomination of officials by political parties.
