President William Ruto has nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), a decision that concludes a highly competitive selection process involving several prominent legal figures.
Ethekon, a 48-year-old legal expert from Turkana County, emerged as the top candidate among 11 shortlisted applicants, including former Judiciary Chief Registrar Anne Amadi and ex-Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution Chairperson Charles Nyachae.
According to a recent TIFA poll, Amadi was the most preferred candidate among Kenyans, garnering 41% support, followed by Nyachae at 23%, and Ethekon at 18% .
Despite not leading in public opinion polls, Ethekon’s extensive academic and professional background likely influenced the Selection Panel’s recommendation.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Nairobi, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, and a Postgraduate Certificate in the Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham.
His advanced degrees include a Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict & Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I in Spain, a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, and a Master of Laws in Oil, Gas & Energy Law from the University of Derby.
Professionally, Ethekon has served as a consultant partner at Northern Consulting Solution and Ethekon & Co. Advocates for over two decades.
His career began as a programs management specialist at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) between 2007 and 2015, later transitioning to a programs advisor role.
He also worked as a program coordinator and Chief Technical Advisor on Area-Based Development Programming in Kenya.
In 2018, he was appointed as County Attorney at the County Government of Turkana, a position he held for six years.
Ethekon’s nomination comes after the IEBC has been without a substantive chairperson since the retirement of Wafula Chebukati in January 2023.
Chebukati, who passed away in February 2025 at the age of 63 after battling cancer, served as IEBC Chairperson from January 2017.
His tenure was marked by overseeing the 2017 and 2022 general elections, both of which were contentious and led to significant political discourse in the country.
The nomination of Ethekon, along with six other individuals as members of the commission, has been transmitted to the National Assembly for consideration and approval.
If confirmed, Ethekon will be tasked with steering the IEBC through upcoming by-elections and the 2027 General Election, ensuring the commission’s integrity and public trust in Kenya’s electoral processes.
