The nominee for Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Erastus Ethekon, declared a net worth of KSh277,882,237 during his vetting before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) on Saturday.

Ethekon, calm and composed throughout the session, told MPs that his wealth comprises land, livestock, Safaricom shares, and motor vehicles. He also revealed pending payments from the African Union Development Agency (AUDA) and gratuity owed to him by the Turkana County Government.

“I expect some income in the coming months from Turkana County, which owes me gratuity,” Ethekon said.

JLAC Chair George Murugara (MP, Tharaka) stressed the need for financial transparency in high-stakes public offices like IEBC, cautioning against potential misuse of the position.

“We need to know your worth to monitor your conduct. IEBC can easily become a lucrative office for illegal dealings,” Murugara warned.

Dadaab MP Maalim Farah lightened the mood, noting Ethekon’s livestock could also contribute to future earnings.

“As a fellow livestock farmer, you should inform the committee that your animals will multiply — that’s additional income,” Farah joked.

Beyond the financial scrutiny, Ethekon committed to upholding the Constitution and ensuring impartial leadership at the IEBC.

“If confirmed, I will be guided strictly by the Constitution and the laws of Kenya,” he stated, acknowledging the weight of public expectations tied to the role.

Ethekon also recognised the pressure on the IEBC to deliver credible and peaceful elections, given Kenya’s turbulent electoral history.

Saturday’s vetting followed months of delays due to legal challenges surrounding regional and gender balance in the selection process. A court ruling recently cleared the way for the parliamentary vetting to proceed, although final appointments remain subject to judicial approval before official gazettement and swearing-in.

As the country gears up for future elections, the confirmation of IEBC leadership is viewed as a critical step toward rebuilding public trust in Kenya’s electoral system.

Stay tuned for ongoing updates on IEBC appointments and key political developments.