Ruth Khatievi Kulundu has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), succeeding Moses Ledama Sunkuli, whose six-month tenure ended on August 4, 2026. Her appointment took effect on 5th August 2026 and will run for two months or until a substantive CEO is appointed, whichever comes first. Kulundu takes charge of the IEBC Secretariat at a critical stage in preparations for the 2027 General Election. Her appointment also brings an experienced elections administrator to the helm of the Commission, having served as Deputy Commission Secretary for Operations since March 2022.  

She joined the IEBC in 2010 and previously served as a Regional Elections Coordinator covering Nairobi and Lower Eastern before becoming the Elections Manager in Siaya County. Her experience has included coordinating electoral operations and overseeing election activities at county and regional levels. Kulundu holds a Bachelor of Commerce and an MBA in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi. She is also an Associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute of London and Kenya and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya Chapter.  

Her career at the IEBC has not been without institutional challenges. Following the 2022 General Election, she was interdicted over allegations including misconduct and insubordination. The Employment and Labour Relations Court subsequently suspended the interdiction, finding that the disciplinary action had not complied with the Commission’s procedures. In her current role, Kulundu is expected to provide administrative continuity as the IEBC advances preparations for the 2027 polls. She has already been involved in presenting the Commission’s Election Operations Plan and Strategic Plan to Parliament, covering voter registration, electoral operations, technology, voter education and stakeholder engagement.