NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon as the next Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), bypassing frontrunners Anne Amadi and Charles Nyachae, both of whom led recent public opinion polls.
The nomination, announced via a press release from State House on Thursday, May 8, 2025, follows the conclusion of a months-long recruitment process conducted by a selection panel.
Ethekon’s name, alongside six others nominated for commissioner roles, has been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting and approval in line with Article 250(2)(b) of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
The new team is expected to fill the long-standing leadership vacuum at the commission, which has been without a full panel since January 2023.
Nominated to serve as IEBC commissioners are Ann Njeri Nderitu (Nyandarua), Moses Alutalala Mukhwana (Kakamega), Mary Karen Sorobit (Uasin Gishu), Hassan Noor Hassan (Mandera), Francis Odhiambo Aduol (Kisumu), and Fahima Araphat Abdallah (Lamu).
President Ruto has this morning received the report on the recruitment of nominees for the positions of Chairperson and Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from the IEBC Selection Panel, State House, Nairobi.
The announcement comes just days after a TIFA poll showed Anne Amadi leading public support with 41%, ahead of Nyachae at 23%, and Ethekon at 15%.
The decision to overlook the top contenders has sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning whether the selection aligns with the public’s expectations.
President Ruto has urged Parliament to prioritize the vetting process to restore full functionality to the IEBC, which plays a critical role in safeguarding Kenya’s democratic processes.
The new team, once approved, will face the formidable task of rebuilding public trust in the commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The poll, which was released on Wednesday, shows Amadi leading by a significant margin, with Charles Nyachae, former judge of the East African Court, trailing at 23%. ynews.digital/top-stories/41…
