Fahima Araphat Abdallah has been elected as the Vice-Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a fresh chapter in Kenya’s electoral leadership.
In decisive move during its first official sitting, the newly constituted IEBC elected Commissioner Fahima Abdallah as Vice-Chairperson. The announcement came shortly after the seven member team, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, was sworn in at the Supreme Court on Friday, July 11.
The election took place during the Commission’s 288th Plenary Meeting held at its Nairobi headquarters. Chairperson Ethekon congratulated Fahima on her appointment, emphasizing the Commission’s renewed commitment to strengthening democracy and delivering credible elections.
“Following the gazettement and subsequent swearing in of the chairperson and the members of the Commission, we are pleased to announce to the members of the public and stakeholders that the commission in its 288th Plenary Meeting Elected Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission. The Plenary Meeting was held at the Commission Boardroom on Friday 11th July, 2025,” the Commission said in a statement.
Fahima becomes the youngest person to hold the Vice-Chairperson role in IEBC history. She holds a Master’s degree in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Kenyatta University. Her experience includes serving on the Lamu County Assembly Service Board and facilitating governance training at national institutions.
Speaking after the swearing-in, Chief Justice Martha Koome urged the commissioners to uphold intergrity and serve with transparency. Democracy is not sustained by laws and institutions alone. It is sustained by trust, fairness, and the belief of every citizen that their voice and their vote matter.
“Your responsibility is clear: every decision, action, and process must adhere strictly to the constitutional principles of free, fair, transparent, and accountable elections.”
