IEBC Names Moses Ledama Sunkuli Acting CEO for Six Months

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced on Thursday that Moses Ledama Sunkuli has been appointed acting Chief Executive Officer. Sunkuli, who currently serves as the Commission's Director of Electoral Operations, will hold the position for six months or until the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO is completed.

The statement from IEBC did not specify reasons for the acting appointment or mention the departure of the previous CEO. Sunkuli's elevation comes at a time when the commission prepares for future electoral cycles, including by-elections and the next general election scheduled for 2027. His background in electoral operations positions him to maintain continuity in administrative and logistical functions during the transition.

Sunkuli has worked within IEBC for several years, overseeing key aspects of election management such as voter registration drives, polling station setup, and results transmission systems. He played a central role in the 2022 general election, where the commission deployed the Kenya Integrated Election Management System for the first time nationwide. That system handled over 22 million registered voters and processed results from more than 46,000 polling stations.

The acting CEO role carries responsibility for day-to-day operations, staff management, budget execution, and coordination with stakeholders including political parties, civil society, and development partners. IEBC's secretariat, headed by the CEO, supports the seven-member commission in implementing constitutional mandates on delimitation, voter education, and election conduct.

The commission has faced scrutiny over staffing and leadership gaps in recent years. Delays in filling senior positions have been linked to funding constraints and parliamentary approval processes for substantive appointments. The Public Service Commission typically advertises such roles, shortlists candidates, and recommends appointees to the IEBC board for final selection.

Sunkuli's interim tenure provides stability while the recruitment process unfolds. Past CEO appointments have taken several months, involving public interviews and vetting by the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs. The last substantive CEO served from 2018 until early 2025, after which an acting arrangement was put in place before this latest change.

IEBC operations continue across 47 counties, with ongoing efforts to clean the voter register and update polling infrastructure. Recent activities include the boundary review process initiated in 2024 and voter registration updates ahead of any upcoming by-elections. The acting CEO will oversee these functions alongside preparations for digital enhancements in voter verification and result management.

The commission's budget for the 2025/26 financial year allocated funds for electoral preparedness, though shortfalls have historically affected training and equipment procurement. Sunkuli's operational experience should help navigate these challenges during the interim period.

Stakeholders, including election observers and political parties, have called for transparency in the permanent appointment process to ensure independence and public confidence. IEBC has maintained that all recruitments follow due process under the Constitution and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act.

No additional details on the timeline for advertising the substantive position appeared in the announcement. The six-month window gives the commission time to complete the process without prolonged vacancy at the top of the secretariat.

Sunkuli's appointment reflects internal succession planning, drawing from existing senior staff rather than an external hire. This approach has been used in previous transitions to preserve institutional knowledge in a body that handles high-stakes national exercises.

As Kenya's electoral body, IEBC remains under close watch from domestic and international partners. The acting CEO will represent the commission in engagements with development agencies that provide technical support for elections.

The statement underscores a commitment to uninterrupted service delivery. With Sunkuli at the helm in an acting capacity, IEBC aims to sustain momentum on voter education, technology upgrades, and stakeholder consultations through the coming months.