President William Ruto on Thursday, May 9, nominated Fahima Araphat Abdallah as a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
According to a statement issued by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei, President Ruto nominated Fahima alongside five others to serve as commissioners of the electoral body.
The other nominated members include Hassan Noor Hassan, Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, and Francis Odhiambo Aduol.
Erastus Edung Ethekon was nominated as the new chairperson of the IEBC.
Until her nomination, Fahima Araphat Abdallah 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, Fahima served as the Lamu County Executive Committee (CEC) member 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.
The IEBC member nominee 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’.
Fahima also 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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The Principal Operations Officer at Lamu Port Abdishukri Osman is among leaders from the County who have congratulated Fajima for her nomination by President Ruto.
“Congratulations To Fahima Araphat Abdallah on Your Nomination as a Commissioner of IEBC. You’re Ably Representing the Youth, Women and the Marginalized Communities in Kenya Including Lamu County,” said Abdishukri in a post on X.
IEBC nominations
Koskei while announcing the nominations of IEBC chairperson and members by President Ruto said that the names have been submitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament.
This is in accordance with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, as well as the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act (Chapter 7F, Laws of Kenya).
“In its submission, the Selection Panel recommended two candidates for the position of Chairperson and nine candidates for consideration to fill six positions of Member of the Commission. Arising from these recommendations, the Head of State has nominated the following individuals for appointment as stated,” read part of the statement.
Koskei further said that President Ruto has urged the National Assembly to prioritize the consideration of the nominations.
The nominations mark a crucial step in reconstituting the electoral agency, paving the way for by-elections and preparations for the 2027 general election.
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