MPs Allow Ruto To Appoint Erastus Ethekon as IEBC Chairperson

The National Assembly has given the green light for Erastus Edung Ethekon to be appointed as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), along with six others selected to serve as commissioners.

This move comes after the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) presented a report endorsing the nominees following a vetting process.

“Having considered the nominees pursuant to Article 250(2) of the Constitution, sections 5 and 6 of the IEBC Act, Cap. 7C and sections 3 and 8 of the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, Cap. 7F, the Committee recommends that the National Assembly approve the appointment of Mr. Erastus Edung Ethekon to the Office of Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” the report reads in part.

Bird's eye view of Parliament during a past session. /PARLIAMENT KENYA

The Committee also endorsed the appointments of Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah as IEBC commissioners.

JLAC stated that all nominees fulfilled the necessary legal and constitutional requirements for the roles.

The Committee further expressed confidence in the team's qualifications and preparedness to take on their new responsibilities.

"The nominees have satisfied all the following constitutional and statutory requirements, including those on citizenship, leadership, ethics and integrity; tax compliance; and higher education loan repayments," the Committee added.

"The nominees meet the integrity threshold, demonstrated knowledge of topical, administrative and technical issues of the positions to which they had been nominated, and had the requisite abilities, academic qualifications, and professional experience to be approved for appointment."

The report also revealed that the nominees have demonstrated a deep understanding of the affairs of the IEBC and their respective roles as Chairperson and Members of the IEBC and possess the requisite abilities, academic qualifications and professional experience required for persons nominated to serve as the Chairperson and Members of the electoral commission.

With this approval, President William Ruto is expected to formally appoint the nominees through a Gazette notice within seven days.

During his vetting, Ethekon told the JLAC Committee he was fully qualified for the role and pledged to uphold the law if appointed as IEBC chair. He also promised to remain neutral to ensure free and fair elections.

“I will play my role as Chairperson in that, I will be guided by the laws of Kenya, and through that fidelity to the law, I should be able to follow all the laid down processes that will lead us to credible, free, verifiable elections,” Ethekon said.

His nomination sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans, with some raising concerns about his alleged ties to former Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok.

Critics feared that Ethekon, who previously served as Turkana County Attorney, might show bias in favour of President Ruto due to Nanok’s close relationship with the presidency. Nanok currently holds the position of Deputy Chief of Staff at the State House.

Ethekon, however, denied any personal connection to Nanok, clarifying that their interactions were strictly professional during his time working under him.

“For the record, Honourable Chairman, not even close, not at the clan level, let alone family. We come from different villages and have no relationship whatsoever, whether by marriage or extended family,” Edung clarified.