The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, has announced the election of a new IEBC Vice Chairperson following the gazettment and subsequent swearing in of the chairperson and commissioners.
In a statement on Friday, July 11, Edung said that the commission has in its 288th plenary meeting elected Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah as the new IEBC Vice Chairperson.
The plenary meeting was held on the same day at the Commission Boardroom.
“The Commission takes this opportunity to congratulate Commissioner Fahima on her election. We assure members of the public and our stakeholders that the Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening Kenya’s democracy,” said Edung.
Until her IEBC nomination by President William Ruto and subsequent appointment as commissioner, Fahima served as a member of the Lamu County Assembly Service Board, a position she has held since 2023.
She has also been a part-time facilitator at the Institute of Corporate Governance and the Africa Institute of Devolution since the same year.
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Fahima Araphat profile
Between 2017 and 2022, the new IEBC Vice Chairperson served as the Lamu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, Infrastructure, Finance, Trade, Investments, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water.
Prior to that, she worked as the Ward Administrator for Shella Ward from 2014 to 2017.
Fahima holds a Master of Arts degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi (UoN), which she earned in 2020.
She did her thesis study on ‘project management skills and the implementation of land settlement schemes programs in Kenya; a case of Lamu County’.
Also, the IEBC Vice Chairperson holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from Kenyatta University (KU).
In addition, she undertook a Project Management Professional course at the Project Management Institute and obtained a Diploma in Investment Advice from the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, both in 2024.
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New IEBC Chairperson and Commissioners Sworn-in
Araphat’s election as Edung’s deputy comes after the new IEBC Chairperson alongside six commissioners were sworn into office to serve a six-year term, at an event held at the Supreme Court Buildings.
The other commissioners are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, and Francis Odhiambo Aduol.
The swearing-in ceremony which was presided by Chief Justice Martha Koome paved the way for the seven to formally assume their IEBC roles.
It came after President Ruto in two gazette notices dated July 10, 2025, formally regularized the commission’s appointments process following a recent High Court ruling.
In his maiden speech after taking over as the IEBC Chairperson said he is honoured by the trust placed in him to lead the commission, which is vital to the country’s democracy.
He stated that free, fair and credible elections are the cornerstone of democracy.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to my fellow commissioners. I know the journey has been demanding, but however difficult it may have been, it was simply preparing us for the greater responsibilities that lie ahead. Today marks the beginning of our service to Kenya. we must be guided by our Constitution and the expectations of Kenyans,” he said.
Ethekon explained that the IEBC carries the solemn responsibility of ensuring that the voice of Kenyans is heard and respected.
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