IEBC Names Ruth Kulundu Acting CEO as Moses Sunkuli’s Six-Month Tenure Comes to an End
Kenya’s electoral commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, ushering in another change at the top of the institution less than two years before the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appointed Ruth Kulundu as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer following the expiry of Moses Ledama Sunkuli’s six-month tenure.
Kulundu assumed the position on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon communicated the change to staff in an internal memo dated August 4.
According to the communication, Kulundu will serve in an acting capacity for two months or until the Commission completes the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO.
“The Commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary, effective August 5, 2026,” Ethekon stated.
The IEBC chairperson also called on staff to give Kulundu their full support as she takes charge of the Commission’s secretariat during the transition.
“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,” Ethekon said.
The appointment comes at a crucial stage for the electoral body as preparations for Kenya’s 2027 General Election gather pace.
The IEBC is simultaneously undertaking the process of recruiting a substantive Commission Secretary and CEO, meaning Kulundu’s temporary tenure could become an important bridge as the Commission seeks permanent leadership.
Who is Ruth Kulundu?
Kulundu is not a newcomer to the IEBC’s senior leadership.
She previously served as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations. The Commission’s 2024–2025 annual report lists her among its senior secretariat officials.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the same institution.
Her elevation places an experienced IEBC insider at the centre of the Commission’s administration at a time when the institution is expected to intensify preparations for the next General Election.
Sunkuli’s six-month tenure ends
Sunkuli took over as Acting CEO and Commission Secretary in February 2026 following the departure of former CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan.
The IEBC announced Sunkuli’s appointment on February 5, stating that he would serve for six months or until the recruitment of a substantive CEO was finalised.
The Commission has now thanked Sunkuli for his service during the interim period as the leadership baton passes to Kulundu.
The latest change means the electoral agency has once again entered a period of temporary leadership as it works towards filling one of its most critical administrative positions.
IEBC begins search for permanent CEO
The leadership changes come shortly after the Commission formally declared the position of Commission Secretary and CEO vacant and opened the recruitment process.
The successful candidate is expected to serve a four-year term, renewable once for another four years subject to satisfactory performance.
The recruitment of a substantive CEO is particularly significant because the office oversees the IEBC secretariat and plays a central role in coordinating the Commission’s administrative and operational functions.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the Commission will face increasing pressure to maintain continuity, strengthen its systems and ensure that preparations proceed without disruption.
For now, Kulundu has been handed the responsibility of steering the secretariat through the transition while the search for the IEBC’s next substantive CEO continues.
The appointment therefore marks more than a routine administrative change: it puts a familiar senior IEBC official in charge at a politically sensitive moment as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 election cycle.
Also Read: IEBC Names Ruth Kulundu Acting CEO as Moses Sunkuli’s Six-Month Tenure Comes to an End
Kenya’s electoral commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu as Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, ushering in another change at the top of the institution less than two years before the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appointed Ruth Kulundu as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer following the expiry of Moses Ledama Sunkuli’s six-month tenure.
Kulundu assumed the position on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, after IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon communicated the change to staff in an internal memo dated August 4.
According to the communication, Kulundu will serve in an acting capacity for two months or until the Commission completes the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO.
“The Commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary, effective August 5, 2026,” Ethekon stated.
The IEBC chairperson also called on staff to give Kulundu their full support as she takes charge of the Commission’s secretariat during the transition.
“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,” Ethekon said.
The appointment comes at a crucial stage for the electoral body as preparations for Kenya’s 2027 General Election gather pace.
The IEBC is simultaneously undertaking the process of recruiting a substantive Commission Secretary and CEO, meaning Kulundu’s temporary tenure could become an important bridge as the Commission seeks permanent leadership.
Who is Ruth Kulundu?
Kulundu is not a newcomer to the IEBC’s senior leadership.
She previously served as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations. The Commission’s 2024–2025 annual report lists her among its senior secretariat officials.
She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Business Administration in Strategic Management from the same institution.
Her elevation places an experienced IEBC insider at the centre of the Commission’s administration at a time when the institution is expected to intensify preparations for the next General Election.
Sunkuli’s six-month tenure ends
Sunkuli took over as Acting CEO and Commission Secretary in February 2026 following the departure of former CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan.
The IEBC announced Sunkuli’s appointment on February 5, stating that he would serve for six months or until the recruitment of a substantive CEO was finalised.
The Commission has now thanked Sunkuli for his service during the interim period as the leadership baton passes to Kulundu.
The latest change means the electoral agency has once again entered a period of temporary leadership as it works towards filling one of its most critical administrative positions.
IEBC begins search for permanent CEO
The leadership changes come shortly after the Commission formally declared the position of Commission Secretary and CEO vacant and opened the recruitment process.
The successful candidate is expected to serve a four-year term, renewable once for another four years subject to satisfactory performance.
The recruitment of a substantive CEO is particularly significant because the office oversees the IEBC secretariat and plays a central role in coordinating the Commission’s administrative and operational functions.
With the 2027 General Election approaching, the Commission will face increasing pressure to maintain continuity, strengthen its systems and ensure that preparations proceed without disruption.
For now, Kulundu has been handed the responsibility of steering the secretariat through the transition while the search for the IEBC’s next substantive CEO continues.
The appointment therefore marks more than a routine administrative change: it puts a familiar senior IEBC official in charge at a politically sensitive moment as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 election cycle.
Also Read: NPS Dismisses Viral Document Claiming New Nairobi OCS Appointments