President Ruto Nominates Erastus Edung Ethekon as IEBC Chairperson

President Ruto has appointed Erastus, who is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya and has served as County Attorney General of Turkana. Mr. Erastus Edung Ethekon is age 48, born in 1977 in Turkana.

Educational Background and Qualifications

Mr. Ethekon, 48 years of age, has done very well in his education. He boasts an impressive academic portfolio:

Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) from the University of Nairobi School of Law
Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law
Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Oil, Gas, and Energy Law from the University of Derby, UK
Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Project Management from the University of Liverpool, UK
Master of Arts (M.A.) in Peace, Conflict, and Development Studies from the University of Bradford, UK
Postgraduate Certificate in Implementation of International Human Rights Treaties

These qualifications underscore his extensive knowledge in law, energy, project management, and human rights.

Professional Experience

Mr. Erastus has vied for the position of judge of the High Court but was unsuccessful. He has not been actively practicing law, according to his credentials, but has been advising the county government on compliance with the law as a County Attorney. Mr. Ethekon’s career spans various roles:

County Attorney General of Turkana County, advising on legal compliance
Chief Technical Advisor at the United Nations Coordinator’s Office in Kenya
Programme Advisor under UNDP in Addis Ababa
Programme Management Specialist at UNDP Kenya, focusing on governance and democracy
Consultant Partner at Northern Consulting Solution and E. Ethekon & Co. Advocates

A Historic Appointment

This is the first time ever for a candidate from Turkana County to be appointed into the office of the Chair. But given Mr. Ethekon’s experience and educational background, he is a man to watch closely and could make a good IEBC chairperson. His appointment by the president sets the stage for parliament to vet and approve him. A lot is in the offing, given that this appointment is unique and different from history.