NAIROBI, Kenya—The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appointed Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations Ruth Kulundu as its Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary following the expiry of Moses Ledama Sunkuli’s six-month tenure in the role.
In an internal communication dated August 4, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said Kulundu will assume the position from August 5 for an initial period of two months or until the recruitment of a substantive CEO and Commission Secretary is completed.
“The Commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary, effective August 5, 2026,” Ethekon said in the memo circulated to staff.
He called on employees to support the transition to ensure continuity in the Commission’s operations.
“During this transition, the Commission requests all staff members to extend their full cooperation and support to Ms Kulundu to ensure our operations continue to run smoothly and efficiently,” he said.
Kulundu, one of the Commission’s most experienced senior officials, currently serves as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations, where she oversees key electoral functions, including voter registration, election planning and the coordination of electoral activities.
She joined the Commission’s top management in 2022 following a restructuring of the Secretariat and has since played a central role in managing the country’s electoral operations.
Her appointment comes at a crucial time as the electoral agency steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election, including continuous voter registration, procurement planning and other logistical preparations.
Kulundu succeeds Moses Ledama Sunkuli, who was appointed Acting CEO in February after the exit of former Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein. His appointment was intended as an interim measure pending the recruitment of a substantive office holder.
Meanwhile, the Commission has already commenced the search for a permanent CEO after declaring the position vacant last week. Applications for the post will close on August 11.
The successful candidate will serve on a four-year renewable contract and will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Commission’s Secretariat, implementation of Commission decisions, financial oversight and coordination of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The recruitment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer is among the final leadership changes expected at the electoral agency following the appointment of the new Commission chaired by Erastus Ethekon, as the IEBC continues rebuilding its institutional leadership ahead of the next General Election.
