I won’t run to South Africa in case of disputed election- Ethekon

IEBC chair nominee Erastus Ethekon has pledged to restore public trust in Kenya’s elections and deliver a credible poll, saying he will not flee to Johannesburg in case of any fallout.

Appearing before the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Ethekon said he believes open engagement and public accountability will help the new commission rebuild confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.

Ethekon said many Kenyans have lost faith in the electoral process due to repeated failures and that trust must now be earned by allowing full scrutiny of the commission’s work.

“Trust is about reaffirming our values, our beliefs, and our laws. Even if we use ballot boxes or electronic voting, as long as Kenyans can trust the system, the outcome will be accepted,” he said.

The nominee said the new commission should confront negative narratives by being transparent and proactive in communication. “We must open the commission and our processes to the public. If Kenyans see where problems can happen, including rigging, and we respond to those issues, then trust will grow,” he said.

Ethekon was also questioned on whether he would escape responsibility and fly to South Africa in case of a disputed election.

“Chair, this is my country, and I love it. I work in South Africa because I serve at the African Union, and Kenya is a member state. I will not run away,” he said

The nominee called on Kenyans to give the new commission a chance to prove itself. “Let’s trust the new IEBC. If we see malpractice, we will deal with it,” the nominee stated.

On his financial standing, Ethekon told the committee that his net worth is Sh277,882,237 million.

He said the amount includes land, livestock, motor vehicles, and shares.

“I also expect some income from the African Union Development Agency and gratuity payments from the Turkana County Government,” he said.

Dadaab MP Maalim Farah, who is also a livestock farmer, told him that livestock income should also count.

“Tell the committee your animals will multiply. That’s also income,” he said.

Ethekon said he understands the high expectations placed on him and promised to follow the Constitution and the law in all his decisions.

“I will be guided by the law. I know the weight this office carries,” he said.

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The vetting resumed after a court allowed Parliament to continue with the approval process, which had been delayed by a petition on regional and gender balance in the appointments.