Newly sworn-in Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Edung Ethon, in his inaugural address, has firmly assured Kenyans that the commission’s paramount loyalty lies with the people, pledging to deliver free, fair, and credible elections.
His remarks come amidst ongoing public scrutiny concerning the integrity of future polls, including the crucial 2027 general elections.
Chairman Edung underscored that free, fair, and credible elections are the cornerstone of Kenya’s democratic society. He emphasized that the IEBC is entrusted with the solemn responsibility to ensure that every citizen’s voice is not only heard but honored.
“My first and foremost loyalty is to the people of Kenya who hold the sovereign power under article one of our constitution and that power allows them therefore to exercise their sovereign responsibility including their right to vote and therefore wish to assure Kenyans that their voices will not only be heard but they will also count uh during this h the coming h elections,” he stated.
Edung highlighted that the credibility of elections hinges on a collective commitment to the rule of law, to fairness, and to the principle that every Kenyan matters.
He affirmed that the IEBC’s mandate, as clearly outlined in Article 8 of the Constitution, will be discharged with the seriousness it deserves, with the commission and its secretariat committing to uphold their oath.
Acknowledging the challenges of the modern information landscape, Edung noted the prevalence of misinformation, disinformation, and fake news as significant hurdles, but also as opportunities.
“In today’s Kenya and the world, we are bound to face a lot of challenges because of today’s new innovations and one of the greatest challenges but also an opportunity is the issue of information,” he underscored.
He expressed the commission’s intent to collaborate with news outlets to educate, inform, and focus on factual truth. This, he believes, is crucial for building trust in institutions like the IEBC and in the electoral processes themselves.
In a significant call for unity and shared responsibility, the Chairman stressed that a credible election is not solely the responsibility of the IEBC; it is a national responsibility.
He appealed to all other institutions and stakeholders to support the commission, urging them to work cooperatively and collaboratively.
This collective effort is essential as the IEBC plans for both upcoming by-elections and the next general elections, to ensure peaceful, credible, transparent, and accountable electoral processes.
Concluding his address, Chairman Edung appealed to every Kenyan to actively participate in this democratic journey through their vigilance and voices.
He also paid tribute to the IEBC’s predecessors, acknowledging their contributions to consolidating and deepening Kenya’s democratic processes.
Ethekon, together with his six IEBC Commissioners, was appointed by President Ruto in early May this year, pending their vetting in Parliament – a process that culminated in their swearing-in on Friday, July 11.
The IEBC commissioners include;
Ann Njeri Nderitu – Nyandarua
Moses Alutalala Mukhwana – Kakamega
Mary Karen Sorobit – Uasin Gishu
Hassan Noor Hassan – Mandera
Francis Odhiambo Aduol – Kisumu
Fahima Araphat Abdallah – Lamu
by moses sagwe
