How cyber café youth convinced me to apply for IEBC job– Ethekon

IEBC chair nominee Erastus Ethekon has revealed that he was hesitant to apply for the job due to the negativity surrounding the position, and only did so after being encouraged by young Kenyans at a South African cyber café.

Speaking before the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Ethekon said he had doubts about applying for the job when the position was first advertised.

“At first, I was reluctant even to apply for this job, given the negativity and all these things around this position,” he said on Saturday

The nominee told MPs that three young people at a cyber café where he usually photocopies his documents pushed him to submit his application.

“Peter, Purity and Kizito are the ones who urged me to apply. They said I have what it takes to lead this institution,” he said.

Ethekon was in South Africa when the application window opened and had initially thought of applying for a commissioner’s role only. However, the youth convinced him to go for both the chair and the commissioner positions.

“They actually went and submitted the documents for both positions. They even sent me a screenshot showing the submission,” he said.

He clarified that while the young people submitted the documents, he had personally prepared and signed them.

“I bound everything and asked them to submit once it was in order,” Ethekon said, adding that he still has a copy of the application.

Ethekon dismissed claims that his application was influenced by political interests or hidden agendas. “I just want Kenyans to know that ordinary citizens also care, and they are the ones who encouraged me,” he said.

He explained that he later took part in public interviews and followed the full legal process leading to his nomination.

“The interviews were televised, I gave my reasons, and the rest of the process followed the law,” he said.

The position of the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) holds a prestigious yet perilous position that is undeniable. The role comes with immense responsibility but also significant risks.

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