Erastus Edung Ethekon (Class of 1995) appointed as new IEBC Chairman

Author Name : Evans Njoro

Published Date : June 1, 2025

Erastus Edung Ethekon, an Old Starehian, has been appointed by President William Ruto as the new Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), marking a significant step in Kenya’s electoral leadership.

Born in 1977 in Turkana County, Ethekon joined Form 1 at Starehe in 1991, was active in clubs, served as a School Prefect, and sat his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examinations (KCSE) in 1995. He pursued a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) degree at the University of Nairobi, followed by a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya School of Law. He furthered his studies internationally, earning multiple advanced degrees, including Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Oil, Gas and Energy Law from the University of Derby, UK; Master of Science (MSc) in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, UK; Master of Arts (MA) in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I, Spain; Postgraduate Certificate in Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham, UK.

Professionally, Ethekon has amassed over two decades of experience in law, governance, and international development. He served as the County Attorney for Turkana County from 2018 to 2024, providing legal counsel and contributing to the county’s legislative framework. His international experience includes roles with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), where he worked in various senior capacities, including Programme Advisor at the Regional Service Centre in Addis Ababa and Chief Technical Advisor in Kenya.

During the IEBC chairperson interviews held in March 2025, Ethekon stood out for his commitment to restoring integrity within the commission. He emphasized the importance of inclusivity, particularly for marginalized communities, and proposed a rights-based approach to voter registration and education. Ethekon also advocated for reviewing the Election Offences Act to address issues like voter bribery, intimidation, and violence. He emphasized the need for improved security arrangements during elections, in collaboration with security agencies.

His appointment comes at a critical time for Kenya’s electoral body, with the need to address pending issues from the 2022 elections, including approximately 12 pending by-elections. He has expressed a clear vision for the IEBC, focusing on boundary delimitation and collaboration with the judiciary to ensure timely and fair electoral processes.

Ethekon’s appointment as IEBC Chairperson reflects his extensive expertise and commitment to public service, qualities that were likely nurtured during his time at Starehe Boys’ Centre.