KENYA: President Ruto Names Erastus Edung Ethekon As The  New IEBC Chair In  Kenya

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya

Kenyan President William Ruto has selected Erastus Edung Ethekon to lead Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), pending approval by Parliament.

The announcement came through Head of Public Service Felix Koskei on Thursday evening, following President Ruto’s receipt of a report from the IEBC Selection Panel earlier in the week.

Ethekon, who previously served as the Turkana County Attorney, has been nominated to succeed Wafula Chebukati, the former IEBC Chair who passed away in February 2025.

In addition to the chairperson nomination, President Ruto has also proposed six individuals to serve as IEBC Commissioners.

These include Ann Nderitu from Nyandarua, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana from Kakamega, Mary Karen Sorobit from Uasin Gishu, Hassan Noor Hassan from Mandera, Francis Odhiambo Aduol from Kisumu, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah from Lamu.

Koskei emphasized that these nominations have been forwarded to the National Assembly for review in line with the IEBC Act and Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act.

The president urged Parliament to give priority to the vetting process, underscoring the IEBC’s crucial role in safeguarding democratic processes in Kenya.