Erastus Edung Ethekon has officially taken office as the new Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), following the tenure and subsequent passing of former chair Wafula Chebukati. The swearing-in ceremony was held on Friday, July 11, at the Supreme Court, and was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
Ethekon was sworn in together with six newly appointed IEBC commissioners — Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah — in a formal ceremony attended by judiciary officials, legal stakeholders, and dignitaries.
Ethekon’s Pledge to Kenyans
During the oath-taking, Ethekon made a solemn promise to serve the Kenyan people faithfully and uphold the Constitution without any form of bias or external influence. He emphasized that he would discharge his duties with integrity, commitment, and full respect for the rule of law.
“I, Erastus Edung Ethekon, having been appointed the Chairperson of IEBC, do solemnly swear that I will at all times obey, respect and uphold the Constitution of Kenya and all other laws of the country,” he declared.
“I will perform my duties without fear, favour, bias, ill-will or prejudice. So help me God,” he added.
Words of Gratitude & Call to Duty
Following the swearing-in, Ethekon expressed his deep appreciation to President William Ruto for entrusting him with the leadership of the electoral commission. He also congratulated his fellow commissioners for overcoming what he described as a difficult but purposeful selection journey.
“I extend my warmest congratulations to my fellow commissioners. I know the road has been tough, but every step has prepared us for the important responsibility that lies ahead,” he said.
He further noted that this marked the beginning of a critical journey in service to the nation. Ethekon promised to lead the Commission with urgency, diligence, and honesty, ensuring that the voice of every Kenyan is heard in electoral processes.
“Today is not just about our appointment—it is about the service we owe to the people of Kenya. We must carry out our mandate with absolute fidelity to the Constitution and the laws of the land,” he said.
Legal Setback Prompted Fresh Gazette Notice
The new officials were sworn in just hours after President Ruto re-gazetted their appointments, following a legal hitch. On Thursday evening, a three-judge High Court bench — Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye — ruled that the initial gazette notice issued by the President was null and void.
The court found that the earlier announcement had been made in violation of a conservatory court order issued on May 29, which had temporarily blocked the appointments pending a legal review.
The judges instructed the President to issue a fresh gazette notice that complied with the court’s directive — a move that he quickly acted upon to regularize the appointments and allow the swearing-in to proceed.
Significance of the Appointments
The IEBC plays a pivotal role in safeguarding Kenya’s democracy, including managing elections, defining electoral boundaries, and overseeing voter registration. The new team now assumes the weighty responsibility of rebuilding public trust in the electoral process and steering the country through future elections.
With the swearing-in complete, Kenya’s electoral management body is now fully constituted, setting the stage for key reforms and preparations for upcoming electoral events. The focus now shifts to how effectively the new leadership will deliver on its constitutional mandate amid increasing calls for transparency and accountability.
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