Erastus Edung Ethekon may be the new face of Kenya’s electoral commission, but not everyone is convinced he’s the man to restore public trust. And lawyer Miguna Miguna is making sure the country hears it.
In a fiery statement on Sunday, Miguna accused the newly appointed IEBC chairperson of being too close to power – and too far from independence.
“This man is not independent,” Miguna said during an interview. “He worked for Josphat Nanok in Turkana. He was handpicked by President William Ruto. This IEBC is made in the image of Ruto.”
Miguna didn’t stop there. He warned that Ethekon’s appointment follows a worrying pattern of politically-aligned figures being installed in supposedly neutral roles – and pointed to Kenya’s troubled electoral past as evidence.
“I warned the country against Samuel Kivuitu, Issack Hassan, Wafula Chebukati -and it came to pass. I am now warning Kenyans that this clone from Turkana and his group of Ruto-tethered commissioners are not independent. They are a coronation choir for Ruto.”
IEBC Pushes Back
The remarks come just a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) issued a sharp statement condemning what it called “reckless” allegations of electoral bias.
“Such utterances are unacceptable in a democratic society,” read the Commission’s statement on Sunday. “They undermine public confidence in the IEBC.”
The commission, which was recently fully reconstituted after a lengthy vacancy, says it is focused on engaging with stakeholders — including political parties -to rebuild trust ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We are committed to restoring confidence in our electoral processes and outcomes,” the statement said. “We urge all political actors to refrain from statements likely to erode public trust.”
Ethekon, who previously served under former Turkana governor and current Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok, was appointed IEBC chair last month. His selection sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning his neutrality and supporters citing his administrative experience.
The government has not officially responded to Miguna’s accusations. President Ruto, who has repeatedly vowed to uphold democratic principles, has said he expects the new IEBC to conduct free and fair elections.
Still, in a country where electoral bodies have long been lightning rods for political tension, the spotlight on Ethekon is unlikely to fade soon.
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