Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has thrown his weight behind newly sworn-in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, hailing him as a “very qualified” lawyer and transformative leader.
Speaking shortly after the swearing-in ceremony held at the Supreme Court Buildings on Friday, July 11, 2025, Duale lauded Ethekon’s appointment, saying it marked a historic milestone for the Turkana community and the inclusion of minorities in top national offices.
“I am happy the first minority has become the chairman of IEBC a Turkana, very qualified. I know him at a personal level. He is a very capable lawyer,” Duale stated.
He dismissed criticism surrounding Ethekon’s appointment, attributing it to ethnic bias rather than concerns over competence. “People are not complaining about IEBC. They are complaining about the chairperson. Why is he from Turkana? The Constitution has given him and the others a clear mandate,” he added.
Ethekon was sworn into office alongside six commissioners Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah who will serve a six-year term. The swearing-in was presided over by Chief Justice Martha Koome.
The appointments followed a High Court ruling that quashed the initial gazettement of the IEBC officials over procedural issues. Justices Roselyne Aburili, John Chigiti, and Bahati Mwamuye ruled that Gazette Notices No. 7724 and 7725, dated June 10, 2025, violated interim conservatory orders issued on May 29, 2025. However, the court upheld the appointments, noting the error lay in the gazettement process, not the merit of the individuals.
President William Ruto rectified the matter by issuing fresh Gazette Notices No. 9269 and 9270 on July 10, 2025, formalising the appointments.
With the IEBC team now officially in office, Duale expressed confidence that preparations for the 2027 General Election can proceed smoothly under Ethekon’s leadership.
