The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appointed Ruth Kulundu as its Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, ushering in a new interim leadership at the electoral agency following the expiry of Moses Ledama Sunkuli’s six-month assignment.
Kulundu officially assumes the role on Wednesday, August 5, after the appointment was approved by the Commission. IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon communicated the decision to staff through an internal memo dated August 4, urging employees to support the transition.
“The Commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary, effective 5th August 2026,” Ethekon said in the memo.
Her appointment is temporary and will run for two months or until the Commission completes the recruitment of a substantive Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
Ethekon said maintaining stability within the secretariat remains a priority as the electoral body continues executing its constitutional mandate and prepares for key electoral activities ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He called on members of staff to cooperate with Kulundu to ensure uninterrupted operations during the transition.Kulundu takes over from Moses Ledama Sunkuli, who was appointed acting CEO on February 5, 2026, after the resignation of Marjan Hussein Marjan.
Marjan stepped down earlier this year after what he described as a mutually agreed transition with the Commission, ending his tenure as the accounting officer and administrative head of the electoral body. Sunkuli was then tasked with steering the secretariat on an interim basis while the Commission initiated the process of recruiting a permanent CEO.
The appointment comes as the IEBC continues receiving applications for the substantive Commission Secretary and CEO position.
The Commission recently advertised the vacancy, seeking Kenyan citizens with a university degree, at least five years of relevant professional experience, and expertise in areas such as electoral management, governance, finance, law, public administration, management or political science. Applicants are also required to satisfy the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Successful candidates shortlisted for interviews will be required to present their academic and professional certificates alongside clearance documents from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.
The successful applicant will take over the administrative leadership of the Commission as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election.
