The newly reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has elected 32 years old Commissioner Fahima Araphat Abdallah as its Vice Chairperson.
The unanimous decision during its 288th Plenary Meeting held at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi, with the commission congratulating Fahima on her election.
“We assure members of the public and our stakeholders that the Commission remains steadfast in its commitment to strengthening Kenya’s democracy,” said Erastus Edung Ethekon, IEBC chairman.
Abdallah, a seasoned administrator and governance expert, brings a wealth of experience in public service, project management, and policy implementation to the electoral body.
Her appointment comes at a critical time as the IEBC prepares to oversee future elections and strengthen electoral integrity in Kenya.
Before her nomination to the IEBC, Abdallah served as a member of the Lamu County Assembly Service Board since 2023.
She has also been a part-time facilitator at the Institute of Corporate Governance and the Africa Institute of Devolution, where she contributed to capacity-building initiatives in governance and devolution.
Between 2017 and 2022, she held a pivotal role as the Lamu County Executive Committee (CEC) Member, overseeing multiple dockets including Lands, Infrastructure, Finance, Trade, Investments, Agriculture, Fisheries, and Water.
Her leadership in Lamu County was preceded by her tenure as the Ward Administrator for Shella Ward from 2014 to 2017, where she played a key role in grassroots development.
Abdallah’s academic credentials underscore her expertise in governance and project management.
She holds a Master of Arts in Project Planning and Management from the University of Nairobi (2020), where her thesis focused on “Project Management Skills and the Implementation of Land Settlement Schemes Programs in Kenya: A Case of Lamu County.”
She also earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from Kenyatta University (2014) and has further enhanced her professional qualifications with a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification from the Project Management Institute and a Diploma in Investment Advice from the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment, both obtained in 2024.
Ethekon earlier pledged to diligently fulfill his duties and protect the interests of Kenyans by ensuring that every vote counts in elections.
Speaking at the Supreme Court after his swearing-in alongside six new IEBC Commissioners, he emphasized that free and credible elections are the cornerstone of a democratic society.
Ethekon also highlighted the power of every Kenyan to shape a peaceful and secure democracy through their vote. He noted that his appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the nation.
While acknowledging the challenges that befell his predecessors, Ethekon highlighted the impact of misinformation, disinformation and fake news; factors that can cause a nation to spiral out of control.
“My first loyalty is to the People of Kenya who hold the sovereign power under Article 1 of the Constitution. I urge all Kenyans to ensure that we use the opportunity to build a peaceful, stable and secure democracy.”