The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has named Ruth Kulundu as its Acting Chief Executive Officer, effective August 5, 2026. According to a confirmation made to Citizen Digital, Kulundu will take up the new role while still serving as the Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations.
Kulundu replaces Moses Ledama Sunkuli, who had been holding the position. Sunkuli will now revert fully to his role as Director of Electoral Operations. The CEO position has been vacant since February 2026 following the exit of Marjan Hussein Marjan. His departure came after a mutual agreement amid sustained pressure from opposition leaders calling for his resignation ahead of the next General Election.
Kulundu brings over a decade of experience in electoral management. She previously served as a Regional Elections Coordinator between 2010 and 2017 before rising to the position of County Elections Manager. Academically, she holds a Master of Business Administration (Strategic Management) and a Bachelor of Commerce, both from the University of Nairobi. She is also professionally affiliated with the Chartered Insurance Institute in both London and Kenya, as well as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Kenya Chapter).
Despite her extensive experience, Kulundu’s tenure at the commission has not been without challenges. In 2023, she was interdicted by then-CEO Marjan over allegations of misconduct, insubordination, and involvement in unlawful activities. She was accused of organizing an unauthorized commission meeting and impersonation, linked to events surrounding the 2022 presidential election petition. However, the court later suspended the disciplinary action, stating she had presented a strong defense.
Meanwhile, the IEBC has already advertised the CEO position, with applications open until August 11, 2026. Kulundu is expected to serve in an acting capacity until a substantive appointment is made.
