The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), with Erastus Ethekon formally sworn in as its new Chairperson. The ceremony, held on Friday, July 11, at the Supreme Court building and presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome, marked a significant transition for the institution, as Ethekon steps into the role previously held by the late Wafula Chebukati. Six new commissioners also took their oaths of office alongside him, ushering in a completely fresh leadership team for the commission.
During the solemn oath-taking, the new IEBC Chairperson accepted his formidable responsibilities with a clear pledge to the Kenyan populace. "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. He further committed, "I will faithfully and fully, to the best of my ability, discharge the trust and perform the functions bestowed upon me by this appointment, without fear, favour, bias, ill-will or prejudice. So help me God." This unwavering commitment to impartiality and constitutional adherence sets the tone for his tenure.
The six commissioners who were also sworn in are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. This collective leadership now bears the immense responsibility of navigating Kenya's intricate electoral landscape. Speaking moments after his oath, Ethekon expressed gratitude to President William Ruto for the appointment and reassured Kenyans of his readiness to serve. He reiterated his promise to fulfil his role with integrity, emphasizing the critical importance of ensuring that the voices of Kenyans are heard clearly and fairly under his new mandate. "I extend my warmest congratulations to my fellow commissioners. I know the journey has been demanding, but however difficult it may have been, it was simply preparing us for the greater responsibilities that lie ahead," Ethekon remarked, acknowledging the challenges yet embracing the future. "Today marks the beginning of our service to the people of Kenya. We must approach this sacred duty with urgency, integrity, and unwavering commitment, guided by our Constitution and the laws of the Republic," he added.
What made this swearing-in particularly dramatic was the eleventh-hour legal maneuver that preceded it. Just hours before the ceremony, the High Court had delivered a ruling that sent ripples through the political sphere. A three-judge bench, comprising Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye, nullified an initial gazette notice of their appointment, deeming it "null and void" for breaching conservatory orders issued on May 29. In a swift and decisive response, President Ruto immediately re-gazetted their appointments, ensuring the swearing-in could proceed as scheduled, albeit under a cloud of pre-emptive legal challenge.
