The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has named Ruth Kulundu as its acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, replacing Moses Ledama Sunkuli, whose six-month stint in the role came to an end on Tuesday.
In an internal memo dated August 4, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon announced that Kulundu would officially assume the position from August 5.
She will serve in the acting capacity for two months or until the commission completes the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO and Commission Secretary, whichever comes first.
“The Commission has appointed Ruth Kulundu to the position of Acting Chief Executive Officer/Commission Secretary, effective 5th August 2026,” Ethekon said in the memo addressed to all staff.
Ethekon urged employees to accord Kulundu their full support during the transition, saying this would help ensure the commission's operations remain seamless.
“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,” the chairman said.
The appointment comes at a time when the electoral agency is in the process of recruiting a substantive CEO and Commission Secretary as part of preparations for the 2027 General Election.
Kulundu's elevation is expected to provide continuity within the commission's secretariat while the recruitment exercise is finalised.
Ethekon also expressed appreciation to Sunkuli for his service during his six-month tenure as acting CEO and Commission Secretary.
“The Commission wishes to take this opportunity to thank Mr Moses Ledama Sunkuli for his services during the six months he acted as CEO/Commission Secretary which expired today,” Ethekon said.
Sunkuli assumed the acting position earlier this year after the departure of former IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan. His six-month tenure officially came to an end on August 4, clearing the way for Kulundu to take over in an acting capacity.
The leadership transition comes as the electoral commission steps up preparations for the 2027 General Election. Over the coming months, IEBC is expected to roll out a series of critical activities, including voter registration, electoral technology readiness, boundary-related exercises, and consultations with political parties and other stakeholders.
The process of recruiting a substantive CEO and Commission Secretary is likely to attract significant attention as the commission seeks to reinforce its leadership ahead of the next General Election.
In the meantime, Kulundu will be responsible for overseeing the commission's day-to-day operations during the two-month interim period or until a substantive CEO and Commission Secretary is appointed.
