President William Ruto appointed Erastus Ethekon as chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in July 2025, filling a position that had been vacant since the death of former chair Wafula Chebukati, who oversaw the 2017 and 2022 polls. IEBC chair Erastus Ethekon. He replaced Wafula Chebukati. Six commissioners were appointed alongside Ethekon: Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah. All seven officials will serve a single six-year non-renewable term, as stipulated in the gazette notice. How much do IEBC chair and commissioners earn? The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) determines the pay structure for IEBC officials. Following its most recent review, the SRC revised salaries upward with effect from July 1, 2024. Ethekon earns a basic salary of KSh 594,000 per month, supplemented by a house allowance of KSh 200,000 and a salary market adjustment of KSh 196,000, bringing his total gross monthly earnings to KSh 990,000. He is also entitled to an official vehicle for commuting. The vice chairperson and commission members share an identical pay structure: a basic salary of KSh 491,906, a house allowance of KSh 150,000, and a salary market adjustment of KSh 177,938, producing a gross monthly salary of KSh 819,844. They too receive official vehicles for official use. All vehicles provided to officials in independent constitutional offices are limited to an engine capacity of 3,000 cc. What are the other benefits of IEBC officials? Meanwhile, beyond monthly salaries, IEBC officials receive a comprehensive annual medical cover extending to the state officer, one spouse, and up to four children below the age of 25 who are fully dependent on the officer. The cover includes inpatient treatment worth KSh 10 million, outpatient cover of KSh 300,000, maternity at KSh 150,000, and dental and optical benefits of KSh 75,000 each. On retirement, officials receive a service gratuity calculated at 31% of annual pensionable emoluments for each year of the term served. Loan entitlements differ by rank. The IEBC chairperson qualifies for a car loan of up to KSh 10 million and a mortgage of up to KSh 40 million. Commission members are entitled to a car loan of up to KSh 6 million and a mortgage capped at KSh 30 million.
