President Ruto Nominates Erastus Ethekon as New IEBC Chairperson

Kenya is on the brink of restoring its Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to full functionality after President William Ruto nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the electoral body's chairperson. 

The nomination, which occurred amid intense anticipation, marks a significant step toward filling the void left by the departure of former Chairperson Wafula Chebukati in January 2023, effectively dormant for two years. Ethekon's nomination now awaits parliamentary approval, marking a crucial juncture in the reconstitution process. His selection by President Ruto bypassed several prominent candidates, including former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Amadi and former Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Chairperson Charles Nyachae, who were widely considered frontrunners for the position. 

Alongside Ethekon, President Ruto nominated seven commissioners to the IEBC: Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu, Moses Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. The nomination of Hassan, however, has ignited controversy. His name was added to the shortlist shortly before interviews began, raising concerns within political circles. Hassan, a former Chief Administrative Secretary for Sports and Education, previously ran unsuccessfully for the Mandera governor seat in 2022 and is reportedly related to a senior legislator from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). 

Head of Public Service Felix Koskei confirmed the nominations were based on recommendations submitted by a selection panel chaired by Dr. Nelson Makanda on May 6, 2025. The panel provided two names for the chairperson position and nine for consideration as commissioners. The nominations have been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting, despite Parliament currently being in recess. Koskei stated that President Ruto has urged the National Assembly to prioritise the consideration of these nominations. 

Ethekon brings extensive experience to the IEBC chairmanship, having served as Turkana County Attorney from 2018 to 2024. His legal and governance career spans two decades and includes partnerships with Northern Consulting Solutions and E. Ethekon and Co. Advocates since 2004. From 2007 to 2015, he held key positions within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), serving as a program management specialist before working as a program advisor at UNDP's regional service centre for Africa and the African Union in Addis Ababa.

The 48-year-old holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Laws in Oil, Gas, and Energy Law from the University of Derby (UK), an MSc in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, and an MA in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from Jaume I University in Spain. He obtained his LLB from the University of Nairobi in 2001 and later completed a postgraduate diploma at the Kenya School of Law.

The restructuring of Kenya's electoral body follows a period marked by resignations and dismissals. Chebukati's term ended in January 2023 alongside Commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye. Vice-Chair Juliana Cherera and Commissioners Justus Nyangaya and Francis Wanderi resigned rather than face a tribunal investigating their conduct during the 2022 election. Irene Masit, the only commissioner to appear before the tribunal, was dismissed by President Ruto based on its recommendations.

Since early 2023, the absence of a functional IEBC has hindered the commission's ability to execute key constitutional mandates, including the delimitation of electoral boundaries and the facilitation of by-elections. Efforts to reconstitute the body began on March 1, 2023, but stalled until President Ruto revived it in January 2025 with the appointment of a new seven-member selection panel. With nominations now in place, the focus shifts to Parliament as it prepares to vet the proposed leadership.