President William Ruto has nominated Erastus Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), filling a critical leadership gap in the country’s electoral body. Ethekon, if approved by Parliament is set to succeed the late Wafula Chebukati, was among two shortlisted candidates recommended for the chairmanship.
In addition to the chairperson, President Ruto also nominated six individuals to serve as commissioners: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. These names have been forwarded to parliament for vetting and approval. The IEBC has been without any serving commissioners due to a series of retirements, resignations, and dismissals linked to allegations of misconduct. The commission’s full complement includes one chairperson and six commissioners, each appointed for a single, non-renewable six-year term. Kenya’s electoral commission has frequently faced public criticism and legal challenges, especially following disputed election results. During the 2022 general election, opposition leader Raila Odinga accused the IEBC of bias in favor of then-candidate Ruto an allegation that was later dismissed by the courts.The nominations come at a pivotal moment as Kenya seeks to restore public trust in its electoral processes ahead of future polls.
