President William Ruto has nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon from Turkana County to serve as the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a crucial step in the reconstitution of the electoral body.

Alongside Ethekon, the President also nominated six individuals to serve as commissioners of the IEBC. Their names have been formally submitted to the National Assembly for vetting, in accordance with the IEBC Act and the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.

“In accordance with our supreme law, the nominations have been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval by Parliament,” read a statement issued by Felix Koskei, the Head of Public Service.

The six nominees for commissioner roles include:

• Ann Njeri Nderitu, the current Registrar of Political Parties
• Moses Alutalala Mukhwana
• Mary Karen Sorobit
• Hassan Noor Hassan
• Francis Odhiambo Aduol
• Fahima Arafat Abdallah

These appointments follow recommendations made by the Selection Panel on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. The panel, chaired by Rev. Dr. Nelson Makanda, had presented two names for the position of chairperson and nine for commissioner roles, from which the President selected the final seven.

President Ruto has urged the National Assembly to fast-track the approval process, citing the critical role the IEBC plays in safeguarding the country’s democratic processes.

“In recognition of the indispensable role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as one of the cornerstone institutions of our democracy and a custodian of electoral management, His Excellency the President has urged the National Assembly to prioritize the consideration of these nominations,” the statement added.

Profile of the Chairperson Nominee

Erastus Edung Ethekon brings extensive legal and governance experience to the role. He holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Oil, Gas & Energy Law from the University of Derby, UK (2016), and an MSc in Project Management from the University of Liverpool (2013). He also earned an MA in Peace, Conflict & Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I in Spain (2012).

Ethekon is a Chevening Fellow and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in the Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham. He also has a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (2003) and a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi (2001).

Until his nomination, he served as the County Attorney in Turkana County from 2018 to 2024 and held positions as Consultant Partner at Northern Consulting Solution and Managing Partner at E. Ethekon & Co. Advocates since 2004.

Parliament has 21 days to vet the nominees upon receiving the names, a process that will shape the future of electoral governance in Kenya.

State investigators have made a major breakthrough in the investigation into the assassination of Kasipul MP Charles Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead in his vehicle on April 30 near the City Mortuary roundabout in Nairobi.

The MP was attacked while driving his Toyota Crown along Ngong Road. Following the incident, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) launched an intensive probe, including forensic examinations of the vehicle, the crime scene, and people last seen with the lawmaker.

On Wednesday, May 7, DCI officers recovered two firearms—a Retay Falcon pistol and a Sarsilmaz pistol—along with a sling bag and a pair of shoes matching descriptions of those worn by the suspected shooter. The discovery was made after one of the suspects led investigators to a residence linked to the attack.

Ballistic tests confirmed that the Sarsilmaz pistol was the murder weapon. In a statement issued on Thursday, May 8, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja revealed that the same gun had also been used in at least three robbery incidents in Nairobi and Kiambu counties, most recently on April 26, just four days before Were’s killing.

“Today I stand before you with significant findings from a comprehensive ballistic investigation regarding the tragic demise of Hon. Charles Were,” said IG Kanja. “The ballistic report we have received unequivocally links the Sarsilmaz pistol, recovered from the residence of one of the suspects, to the fatal shots that took his life.”

In a chilling revelation, investigators disclosed that the MP’s murder was a contract killing.

One of the suspects reportedly received KSh 850,000 for the hit, with a promise of protection from arrest due to connections with high-ranking government officials. A sum of KSh 615,000 believed to be part of the payment was recovered during a raid on the suspect’s residence.

Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula has pledged to provide CCTV footage from Parliament to aid in the ongoing investigation. Preliminary reports indicate that the lawmaker was followed from Parliament to the scene of the shooting.

At the time of the attack, Were was in the company of his driver and bodyguard, both of whom escaped unharmed. They have since been detained for questioning.

The murder of the MP has shocked the nation and drawn calls for swift justice. Investigations are ongoing as authorities close in on all those involved in the high-profile killing.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued an urgent appeal to Philip Nahashon Aroko, a suspect wanted in connection with the brutal murder of Hon. Charles Ong’ondo Were.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the DCI requested Aroko to present himself at the nearest police station without delay, stating that he is a person of interest in the ongoing homicide investigation.

“Compliance with this request is mandatory,” the statement read.

Authorities are also appealing to members of the public who may have information about Aroko’s whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or security agency.

Investigations into Hon. Were’s killing are still underway, with the DCI vowing to pursue all leads until justice is served.

In a quick rejoinder, Aroko through his lawyer Danstan Omari stated that he would be surrendering himself to the DCI late Wednesday.

“He is expected to surrender himself at the Gigiri Police Station anytime from now,” Omari revealed through a text.

On Wednesday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told journalists that investigations have linked some of the slain MP’s close associates to the brutal murder.

According to the security minister, detectives have established that some of Were’s allies collaborated with his killers.

“We have made very significant progress in arresting the perpetrators and their collaborators, and it will shock you to note that this was a heinous crime done in a cavalier manner, involving people who ordinarily should have taken good care of him in his interest,” Murkomen stated.

The MP was shot dead on Wednesday, April 30, in Nairobi evening traffic by a gunman whose accomplice was riding a motorbike.

The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA) has allayed fear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will replace journalism.

The KCA Director of Programmes, William Oloo Janak said AI will only help make journalism work easier.

“AI is feared to take jobs but it can’t. It cannot bring out the human aspect in a story like a human being,” Janak said.

Janak was speaking during a KCA meeting held to honour World Press Freedom Day.

The event was held at the Hill Park Hotel in Nairobi on Wednesday, May 7, 2025.

Janak who officially opened the event, said that the day was held to remember journalists who have passed away or those who had undergone various challenges and violations in the industry.

The event was held under the theme, ‘Reporting in the Brave world – The impact of Artificial Intelligence on press Freedom and the Media‘.

The event was marked by speeches from various KCA members and panelists.

Rachel Nyaguthii from Tuko news who was one of the panelists said that AI is not likely to take jobs from people as a sister project from Tuko won an award for using AI ethically.

“I don’t think AI is here to replace journalism, it is here for us to learn, adapt and use it ethically to improve efficiency,” Nyaguthii said.

The Kenya Union of Journalists SG Eric Oduor who was a guest during the meeting urged the media practitioners to embrace AI so that journalists can continuously serve the public and to maintain trust in the industry.

Esther Kamweru, the first female Managing Editor at The Standard and who was the chief guest at the event, talked passionately about her reflections and experiences in media and the challenges she underwent.

She also talked about her book ‘Madam Editor‘ which explores her journey in the media landscape as an editor.

Also in attendance were Standard editor Ken Bosire, the Dean, Daystar University’s school of communication, language and performing arts Prof Levi Obonyo and John Owegi from the Civic Freedom Forum among others.

The family of a Migori man who is alleged to have hurled a shoe at President William Ruto has broken its silence days after the incident.

On Sunday, May 4, the president’s rally in Kehancha was momentarily disrupted after a man threw a shoe at the head of state, in an appalling act that left tongues wagging.

Speaking to NTV, the family of Paul Mutongori, who is one of the three men arrested over the viral shoe attack, pleaded for forgiveness from the government on behalf of their son, who is still in custody.

His mother spoke painfully, saying she instilled great discipline in her son, adding the incident has left her shocked and apprehensive because Paul is still in police custody.

“I asked one of the young men who was here about my son’s whereabouts, and I learned that he had been arrested. I was shocked because I have always disciplined my children,” the devastated mum said.

While pleading with the president, she said:

“I plead with the president to please forgive him as a father would forgive a son who has wronged him,” she said.

The family described the suspect as a calm person who avoids trouble and is respectful in the community.

“Even if you ask around, they will tell you he is quite respectful to everyone in the community,” a family member said.

Another family member said they hope that investigations will vindicate their son.

“I hope they discover that he is not the one who threw the shoe. I hope they investigate thoroughly because it can also turn out that he did not do it,” he said.

Frustrations over the rising cost of living

The shoe-throwing incident comes amid growing public frustration over economic challenges, including high inflation and recent tax hikes, which many citizens blame for worsening the cost of living and shrinking household incomes across the country.

Basic commodities such as cooking oil, sugar, and fuel have seen significant price increases, prompting complaints from consumers and small-scale traders alike who feel abandoned by policymakers.

Analysts say the shoe-hurling incident may reflect a symbolic act of defiance.

“It’s a reflection of bottled-up anger,” said political commentator Virginia Wanjiru.

“When people feel unheard, such actions, while not justifiable, become expressions of extreme frustration,” Wanjiru said. “The government should view this not as an isolated act of indiscipline, but as a warning sign of deeper societal unrest.”

Over the past year, the Kenyan government has introduced several fiscal reforms, including new tax measures under the Finance Act, which have stirred public discontent.