The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) has issued its report on the nomination of Erastus Edung Ethekon as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson.
JLAC in its report on Tuesday, June 3, approved the nomination of Ethekon’s nomination and six others as members of the commission following successful vetting sessions.
The National Assembly is set to debate on the report and reject or approve the committee’s recommendation.
During his vetting by the committee on Saturday last week, the IEBC chairperson nominee committed to upholding the law if picked as the commission’s new boss, assuring that he would be impartial in his role to ensure free and fair elections.
“I will play my role as Chairperson in that, I will be guided by the laws of Kenya and through that fidelity to the law, I should be able to follow all the laid down processes that will lead us to credible, free, verifiable elections,” Ethekon said.
He also addressed concerns regarding his association with Josphat Nanok, President William Ruto’s Deputy Chief of Staff and former Turkana Governor.
Ethekon acknowledged that he served as the Turkana County Attorney during Nanok’s second term, a connection that raised questions about his impartiality in overseeing the 2027 elections.
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Erastus Ethekon vetted by JLAC
He confirmed that he had a professional relationship with Nanok for four years during the former Governor’s second term in office but explained that their relationship was purely in the interest of serving the people of Turkana and had no influence on his nomination.
“I knew Nanok when I worked with him as the Turkana County Attorney when he was serving as governor. I worked with him for four years and our relationship was purely professional in serving the people of Turkana in our various capacities,” he said.
“Our professional relationship ended in 2022 after he left, and I continued serving under the current governor for another two years.”
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In response to a question hinting at favouring President Ruto, he said, “I shall not be biased.”
He also revealed that he is worth over Ksh276 million, adding that his wealth is composed of earnings from his African Union job as well as acquired current and non-current assets.
Ethekon noted that he has invested in land, livestock, and motor vehicles and has bought shares in telecommunications company Safaricom.
“My net worth is Ksh276,832,237, made up mainly of assets, land, livestock, Safaricom shares and motor vehicles,” said Ethekon.
The former Turkana County Legal Advisor when asked what his current source of income was said that apart from being an employee of the AU, he also expects gratuity from his service in the county.
“Currently, my source of income is my earnings from the African Union Development Agency. Turkana County still owes me my gratuity,” he said.
Hassan Noor’s vetting
On his part, IEBC commissioner nominee Hassan Noor opened up about his relationship with Suna East Member of Parliament Junet Mohammed and confirmed that the lawmaker is his brother-in-law.
Further, he reassured the panel that his nomination was based on merit and that his relationship with Junet Mohammed does not compromise his integrity.
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