NAIROBI, KENYA – The new Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Erastus Edung Ethekon, has acknowledged the intense pressure on his team to deliver credible elections as Kenyans head to the polls in 24 electoral areas today, Thursday, November 27, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Nation on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Ethekon stated, “We're under pressure but we will deliver,” seeking to reassure a public long plagued by mistrust in the electoral body.

These by-elections, which include one Senate seat and six National Assembly seats, are widely seen as the first major test for Ethekon’s commission, which was appointed in June 2025. The polls serve as a crucial barometer of the commission's preparedness and impartiality less than two years before the next general election. The outcomes are expected to trigger significant political realignments within both President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza alliance and the opposition.

A Legacy of Mistrust

Ethekon, who assumed office just four months ago, inherits an institution dogged by a history of contentious elections, disputed outcomes, and deep-seated public skepticism. His predecessor, Wafula Chebukati, retired in 2024, leaving a commission whose reputation was severely battered by the divisions of the 2022 presidential polls. The selection process for the new commissioners, including Ethekon, was itself a subject of political controversy, with critics alleging it was designed to favour the ruling establishment.

In his public statements, Chairman Ethekon has directly addressed these challenges. “Trust is not built in a day. It takes years to build and seconds to destroy,” he told the Nation, emphasizing that the IEBC is just one of many actors responsible for building confidence in the electoral process. He has vowed that the commission will remain independent and strictly abide by the law, asserting, “Nobody is going to steal an election or stuff ballot papers. We are free from influence—from the President to the sweepers.”

The Litmus Test

The immediate tasks for the new commission are immense. Beyond delivering credible by-elections today, Ethekon’s team must address pending issues from the 2022 elections, including the long-delayed boundary delimitation process. During his vetting by a parliamentary selection panel in March 2025, Ethekon identified this as a priority, alongside collaboration with the judiciary to ensure timely and fair electoral justice.

Born in Turkana County in 1977, Ethekon is a seasoned lawyer with over two decades of experience in law and governance, including a six-year tenure as the County Attorney for Turkana and various senior roles with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His supporters, particularly from his home region, have hailed his nomination by President Ruto on May 8, 2025, as a symbol of inclusion for marginalized communities. Governor of Turkana, Jeremiah Lomorukai, expressed confidence that Ethekon's experience will contribute to a transparent and fair electoral process in the country.

However, the opposition has voiced concerns. Claims of potential rigging in the by-elections and the 2027 General Election have been dismissed by Ethekon as “political rhetoric meant to undermine public trust in the commission.” To counter perennial issues like voter bribery and violence, the National Police Service has assured Kenyans of heightened security for today's polls, pledging impartial enforcement of the law and warning political actors against incitement.

The Road to 2027

For Kenya and the broader East Africa region, the performance of the IEBC under Ethekon's leadership is of paramount importance. A stable and predictable electoral process in Kenya, the region's economic powerhouse, is vital for regional stability and investor confidence. The successful management of these by-elections could mark the beginning of a crucial process of rebuilding faith in Kenya's democratic institutions.

Chairman Ethekon has emphasized that his commission is determined to write a new chapter. He has outlined key priorities including curbing political violence, ensuring only qualified candidates are on the ballot, and preparing a new generation of voters for 2027 by enhancing mass registration, particularly in colleges and universities. As voters cast their ballots today, all eyes are on the IEBC to see if its promise to deliver a free, fair, and credible process will be fulfilled, setting the tone for the high-stakes General Election on the horizon.