Who Is Erastus Ethekon? Biography And Career Of New IEBC Chair

Erastus Ethekon Edung, the newly appointed Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is a name that may not have featured prominently in Kenya’s political circles—until now. But behind the low profile lies a career defined by legal expertise, international experience, and a commitment to public service that spans nearly two decades.

Ethekon’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for the country’s electoral body, which is under pressure to rebuild public trust following years of internal wrangles, resignations, and legal battles. His entry into the IEBC marks the beginning of a new chapter, one that Kenyans hope will be marked by credibility, independence, and reform.

From Morulem to the Helm of Electoral Power

Born in 1977 in Morulem, Turkana County, Ethekon’s journey to national prominence has been shaped by his rural upbringing, legal scholarship, and a career in both local and international institutions. His nomination was received with celebration in his home region, which had never produced a national electoral chief before.

Ethekon holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi (2001) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law (2003). Over the years, he has earned an impressive array of international qualifications, including a postgraduate certificate in the Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties from the University of Nottingham, under the prestigious Chevening Fellowship.

He also holds a Master’s in Peace, Conflict and Development Studies from Universidad Jaume I in Spain, a Master of Science in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, and a Master of Laws in Oil, Gas and Energy Law from the University of Derby in the UK.

A Global and Local Career in Service

Ethekon’s professional journey includes a long stint with the United Nations. Between 2007 and 2015, he worked with the UNDP as a Programmes Management Specialist, later rising to the role of Programme Advisor at the UN’s Africa Regional Service Centre and at the African Union in Addis Ababa.

In 2015, he returned to Kenya and served as Program Coordinator and Chief Technical Advisor with the United Nations Resident Coordinator’s Office (UNRCO), where he helped develop area-based development frameworks across several counties.

In 2018, he was appointed as the County Attorney for Turkana County, a position he held until 2024. As the county’s top legal advisor, he was instrumental in shaping legislative and development frameworks in the vast, underdeveloped region.

Outside public service, Ethekon has been a practicing advocate and consultant partner at E. Ethekon & Co. Advocates and Northern Consulting Solutions since 2004.

A Man of Means—and Integrity

During his parliamentary vetting, Ethekon disclosed his net worth at KSh 276.8 million, citing assets in land, livestock, vehicles, income from AU service, Safaricom shares, and gratuity owed by Turkana County. While the declaration sparked curiosity, it was his calm and grounded responses that won praise from legislators.

“I believe in transparency, accountability and constitutional fidelity,” he told the parliamentary committee. “I shall not be biased.”

Leading IEBC Into a New Era

Ethekon’s nomination by President William Ruto in May 2025 followed a lengthy and competitive selection process spearheaded by a presidential panel. He replaces former Chair Wafula Chebukati, who served two terms and passed away earlier this year.

As he awaits formal assumption of office—pending compliance with a High Court order quashing an initial Gazette Notice—Ethekon faces a daunting task: to rebuild a fractured institution, guide the country through pending by-elections, oversee possible boundary delimitation, and prepare for the 2027 General Election.

He has pledged to ensure transparency in IEBC operations, promising consultation with the Judiciary and the Attorney General’s Office on critical legal matters, including constituency boundaries.

A Calculated Choice

Ethekon’s blend of legal acumen, international diplomacy, and county-level governance gives him a unique vantage point. While his name may be new to the national political theatre, his track record speaks to a steady, reform-minded professional prepared to steer Kenya’s electoral body into a new era.

Whether he succeeds in restoring confidence in the IEBC remains to be seen—but if his resume and temperament are any indication, Erastus Ethekon may just be the quiet reformer the commission has been waiting for.