The High Court has issued a conservatory order barring the swearing-in and gazettement of IEBC nominees, including the chairperson and six other commissioners.

In a ruling issued on Thursday, Justice Lawrence Mugambi, however, gave the green light for the parliamentary vetting of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission nominees.

Mugambi, however, insisted that the seven will not be sworn in until a petition filed in court challenging their nomination is determined.

He also noted that the issues raised in the petition touch on the sovereignty of the people and would be appropriate if handled by a bench of two or more judges. He asserted that the file has been forwarded to the Chief Justice, who will appoint the panel of judges.

On May 8, 2025, President Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the next IEBC chairperson, taking over from the late Wafula Chebukati, who, upon his death, had completed his 8-year tenure.

He also named Anne Nderitu, Moses Mukwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor, Francis Odhiambo, and Fahima Abdalla as commissioners.

The nominees will, however, be forced to wait a little longer after two petitioners moved to court to challenge their nomination, arguing that Ruto unlawfully made the decision without involving the opposition brigade. The petitioners also claimed that some of the nominees did not meet the criteria required to hold the said offices.