Erastus Edung Ethekon Nominated by President William Ruto as the New IEBC Chair.
President William Ruto has taken a major step in reshaping Kenya’s electoral landscape by nominating Erastus Edung Ethekon as the next chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The long-awaited nomination comes amid growing pressure to restore a fully functional electoral body ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Ethekon, a seasoned legal professional from Turkana County, was named alongside six other nominees for commissioner positions. The announcement was made in an official statement by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, who confirmed that the nominations had been submitted to Parliament for vetting and approval.
“This presidential action follows the recommendations of the Selection Panel on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the IEBC, as transmitted on Tuesday, May 6, 2025,” Koskei stated.
Koskei emphasized the importance of the IEBC in Kenya’s democratic framework, noting that it is a cornerstone institution tasked with managing the country’s electoral processes. He urged Parliament to give the matter urgent attention and expedite the vetting process.
If approved, Ethekon will lead a diverse and regionally representative team of six commissioners:
• Ann Njeri Nderitu – Nyandarua
• Moses Alutalala Mukhwana – Kakamega
• Mary Karen Sorobit – Uasin Gishu
• Hassan Noor Hassan – Mandera
• Francis Odhiambo Aduol – Kisumu
• Fahima Araphat Abdallah – Lamu
Their selection followed a comprehensive and competitive process led by the IEBC Selection Panel, chaired by Rev. Dr. Nelson Makanda. The interviews for the chairperson role were held from March 24 to 26, with the commissioner interviews running from March 26 to April 24.
According to the panel’s report, a total of 37 applicants vied for the chairperson position, with 11 candidates making the final shortlist. All shortlisted candidates participated in the interview process. For the commissioner positions, 1,333 Kenyans applied — of whom 237 were female(17.8%), 1,078 male (80.9%), and 18 did not include National ID copies.
By law, the panel was required to submit two top candidates for the chairperson role and nine names for the commissioner positions. The President then selected one chairperson nominee and six commissioner nominees from the list.
Who Is Erastus Edung Ethekon?
At 48 years old, Erastus Ethekon Edung brings an impressive blend of legal, academic, and governance experience. He is a law graduate from the University of Nairobi, and holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
But what truly sets Ethekon apart is his international academic portfolio. He holds three master’s degrees:
• Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict & Development Studies – Universidad Jaume I, Spain (2012)
• Master of Science in Project Management – University of Liverpool, UK (2013)
• Master of Laws in Oil, Gas & Energy Law – University of Derby, UK (2016)
Professionally, Ethekon has over 20 years of experience in legal practice and governance. He has worked as a consultant partner at Northern Consulting Solution and at his own law firm, Ethekon & Co. Advocates. From 2007 to 2015, he served as a Program Management Specialist at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
In 2018, Erastus Ethekon Edung was appointed County Attorney for Turkana County, a position he held until early 2024. During his six-year tenure, he played a pivotal role in shaping legal and governance frameworks in one of Kenya’s most underrepresented regions.https://shorturl.at/Rn64k
Stepping into Chebukati’s Shoes
If approved, Ethekon will succeed the late Wafula Chebukati, who served as IEBC chair from January 2017 to January 2023. Chebukati, a respected legal mind, oversaw three general elections — including the controversial 2017 repeat presidential poll and the 2022 general election. He left a complex legacy, marked by both commendation and criticism.
Chebukati’s departure, along with commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, left a leadership vacuum at the IEBC that has remained unfilled since January 16, 2023. The commission has operated without a full quorum for over two years, stalling crucial electoral reforms and the execution of pending by-elections.
The Road Ahead
Assuming parliamentary approval, the new IEBC team will immediately face significant responsibilities. Key among them will be overseeing several pending by-elections, updating the voter register, and laying the groundwork for the 2027 elections.
This new chapter arrives at a time when public confidence in the IEBC remains fragile. The commission has often been at the center of Kenya’s most contentious political moments. Building public trust, ensuring transparency, and managing political pressures will be crucial tests for Ethekon and his team.
Already, questions have been raised over some omissions from the final list — notably former East African Court of Justice legislator Charles Nyachae and former Judiciary Registrar Ann Amadi, both of whom had been considered strong contenders. Their exclusion has fueled speculation about political undercurrents behind the nominations.
Nonetheless, the President’s nominees represent a broad geographic and professional diversity, perhaps signaling an intent to reform and rejuvenate the commission.
However, Kenya stands at a critical crossroads as it rebuilds its electoral commission. The nomination of Erastus Ethekon and the six commissioners offers a fresh opportunity to strengthen the democratic foundation ahead of the next election cycle.
As Parliament begins its vetting process, the public will be watching closely — not just to see who gets approved, but to gauge whether this new team can deliver the fair, transparent, and credible elections Kenya urgently needs.
The question now is: Will this new IEBC leadership rise to the challenge, or will it buckle under the weight of expectation?https://touchdigitalnews.com/deputy-president-kithure-kindiki-has-broken-his-silence-following-an-explosive-political-gathering-hosted-by-his-predecessor-rigathi-gachagua/