Editor's Review

Ethekon was nominated as the new chairperson of the IEBC on Thursday, May 8.

President William Ruto on Thursday, May 08, nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the new chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

The announcement was made on Thursday, May 8, through a statement issued by the Head of Public Service, Felix Koskei. 

"This presidential action follows the recommendations of the Selection Panel on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of chairperson and members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, as transmitted on Tuesday, 6 May 2025," the statement read. 

Academic background

Ethekon brings with him an academic portfolio that spans law, peace studies, project management, and human rights. 

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He holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in Oil, Gas & Energy Law from the University of Derby, UK (2016) and a Master of Science (MSc) in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, UK (2013).

Ethekon is also a holder of a Master of Arts (MA) in Peace, Conflict & Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I, Spain (2012).

Additionally, he earned a Post Graduate Certificate in Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham, UK, under the British Foreign & Commonwealth Chevening Fellowship in 2007. 

Ethekon also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Government (2003) and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) from the University of Nairobi (2001).

File image of Erastus Edung Ethekon

Work experience 

Ethekon has over two decades of legal and development experience both locally and internationally. 

Since 2004, he has served as a Consultant Partner at Northern Consulting Solution and E. Ethekon & Co. Advocates.

Ethekon also held the position of County Attorney in the Office of the County Attorney in the County Government of Turkana from 2018 to 2024.  

Between 2015 and 2018, he served as Program Coordinator and Chief Technical Advisor on Area-Based Development Programming in Kenya under UNCO.  

Ethekon's regional and international experience includes working as a Programme Advisor at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – Regional Service Centre for Africa and the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2016, and as a Programs Management Specialist at UNDP between 2007 and 2015. 

During his vetting, Ethekon outlined a reform-focused vision for IEBC, further expressing his readiness to handle the enormous responsibility that comes with the role. 

“I will tighten internal processes to ensure good management of resources. As an individual, I have the stamina, the strength, the mental capacity to withstand the pressures of the role. I am well aware,” he stated.