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.
