Kenya: IEBC Appoints Ruth Kulundu Acting CEO As Search for Substantive Office Holder Enters Final Phase

What the report says

Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has named Ruth Kulundu as acting chief executive officer and commission secretary, according to a report by Capital FM distributed through AllAfrica. The appointment took effect on August 5, 2026, after Moses Ledama Sunkuli’s six-month acting term ended. IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon said in an internal memo dated August 4 that Kulundu would serve for up to two months, or until the commission completes recruitment of a substantive office holder.

Kulundu is the deputy commission secretary for operations and has been part of the electoral body’s senior leadership since 2022. The article said she oversees key functions such as voter registration, election planning and coordination of electoral operations. The commission asked staff to cooperate with her during the transition so day-to-day work continues without interruption.

The leadership change comes as IEBC advances preparations for Kenya’s 2027 general election and continues a recruitment process for a permanent CEO and commission secretary. The position was declared vacant last week, with applications due by August 11. The successful candidate will take on administrative and financial responsibilities as well as oversight of election preparations. The appointment is part of broader efforts to complete the reconstitution of the electoral commission under its new chair.