President William Ruto has nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon, a relatively unknown figure from Turkana County, to chair the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The nomination comes amid rising pressure to fill the IEBC leadership vacuum and restore credibility to Kenya’s electoral process. Ethekon’s name, along with six other commissioner nominees, has been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting.
Also read:IEBC Reconstitution: Roles and Functions of Commissioners in Kenya
Table of Contents:
Who Else Has Been Nominated?
The six proposed IEBC members are:
- Ann Njeri Nderitu – Registrar of Political Parties
- Moses Alutalala Mukhwana
- Mary Karen Sorobit
- Hassan Noor Hassan
- Francis Odhiambo Aduol
- Fahima Araphat Abdallah
The nominations followed the recommendations of the IEBC Selection Panel chaired by Nelson Makanda, who submitted a shortlist to the President on May 6, 2025.
Ruto Urges Speedy Vetting
In his statement, President Ruto emphasized the urgent need for Parliament to act swiftly on the nominations, noting that the IEBC plays a central role in safeguarding Kenya’s democracy.
“In recognition of the indispensable role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as a custodian of electoral management, His Excellency the President has urged the National Assembly to prioritize the consideration of these nominations.”
With the country heading into the 2027 election cycle, the IEBC’s reconstitution is expected to play a key role in shaping electoral reforms and political accountability.
