Erastus Edung Ethekon
Erastus Edung Ethekon | |
|---|---|
| Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission | |
| Assumed office 11 July 2025 | |
| Appointed by | William Ruto |
| Preceded by | Wafula Chebukati |
| County Attorney of Turkana County | |
| In office 2018–2024 | |
| Governor | Josphat Nanok |
| Preceded by | Inaugural |
| Succeeded by | Ruth Emanikor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1977 (age 48–49) Turkana, Kenya |
| Alma mater | University of Nairobi (LLB) University of Derby (LLM) University of Liverpool (MSc) Jaume I University (MA) |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Erastus Edung Lokaale Ethekon (born 1977) is the current chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya.
Early childhood and education
Ethekon was born in 1977 in Turkana.[1][2] He enrolled at Starehe Boys’ Centre and School in 1991 and completed in 1995.[3] He later studied law at the University of Nairobi, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 2001 and obtained a postgraduate diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law in 2003.[4]
In 2007, he received a postgraduate certificate in the Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham under the Chevening Scholarship. He afterwards earned a Master of Arts in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I in Spain in 2012, a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Liverpool in 2013, and a Master of Laws in Oil, Gas and Energy Law from the University of Derby in 2016.[5][6]
His 2016 dissertation was titled, Evaluating Legal, Political and Commercial Risks in the Emerging Oil and Gas Sector in Kenya.[7]
Career
Ethekon served as the county attorney for Turkana County from 2018 to 2024.[8]
He has also held positions with the United Nations Development Program, as a programme advisor at the regional service centre in Addis Ababa and as a chief technical advisor in Kenya.[9]
He is currently the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, taking over from Wafula Chebukati. After his nomination[10] and subsequent parliamentary approval, he was sworn in on 11 July 2025.[11][12] Prior to his appointment, he was serving as the lead expert and programme advisor for the Africa Union Development Agency NEPAD programme on governance, peace, security and development, based in South Africa.[13]
See also
References
- ^ Reporter, I. B. (10 May 2025). "Turkana Professionals Hail Historic IEBC Nomination of Erastus Ethekon as Victory for Marginalized Communities". Insider Bits News. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ GROUP, NTV KENYA-NATION MEDIA. "NTV Kenya: Celebration in Turkana as Ruto picks Erastus Ethekon to lead IEBC". NTV Kenya. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Erastus Edung Ethekon (Class of 1995) appointed as new IEBC Chairman - Starehe Boys' Centre & School". 1 June 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Erastus Edung Ethekon: Who is the new IEBC chairperson nominee?". Citizen Digital. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Ngure, Arnold (8 May 2025). "Ruto nominates Erastus Ethekon as IEBC chairperson, 6 others as commissioners". People Daily. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Chandianya, Faith (8 May 2025). "Eratus Edung: 3 Master's Degrees, Impressive Academic Qualifications of IEBC Chairperson Nominee - Tuko.co.ke". www.tuko.co.ke. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Ethekon, Erastus (1 January 2016). "LLM DISSERTATION - ERASTUS ETHEKON". Evaluating Legal, Political and Commercial Risks in the Emerging Oil and Gas Sector in Kenya.
- ^ "Ruto nominates Erastus Edung Ethekon as IEBC chairperson". Daily Nation. 8 May 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Mumbi, Lucy (8 May 2025). "Who is Erastus Edung Ethekon? President Ruto's nominee for IEBC Chairperson". The Eastleigh Voice News. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ Njihia, Samuel (8 May 2025). "Ruto picks Erastus Ethekon as new IEBC chairperson". Nairobi Law Monthly. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Newly Appointed IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon & 6 Commissioners Sworn In at Supreme Court - Kenyans.co.ke". www.kenyans.co.ke. 11 July 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "National Assembly approves Erastus Ethekon as new IEBC chair, six members as commissioners". Citizen Digital. 4 June 2025. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- ^ "Consultancy Services for Consultancy to procure a Humanitarian Affairs Expert to undertake interfacing and integration of Demographic Dividend and Sexual and Reproductive Health interventions and Socio-Economic Development for Peace, Security and Developm | AUDA-NEPAD". www.nepad.org. Retrieved 19 February 2026.