The nominee for the position of Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Erastus Ethekon, is worth Sh277,882,237.
Ethekon made the revelation on Saturday when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) for vetting
The chair of the committee, George Murugara (Tharaka), emphasised that Kenyans need to know Ethekon’s net worth as a measure to fight corruption.
“We need to know your worth so that we can monitor you. We know very well that IEBC can be a very lucrative office to do illegal business,” he explained.
Ethekon stated that his assets comprise land, livestock, Safaricom shares and motor vehicles.
He said he is also expecting some earnings in the near future from the African Union Development Agency.
“I am also expecting some income in the next few months from the Turkana County Government. They owe me gratuity,” he added.
Dadaab MP Maalim Farah said Ethekon should also be expecting increased income from his livestock.
“I am also a livestock farmer. You should also tell this committee that you expect additional income from your animals as they will multiply,” he added.
Ethekon said he would be guided strictly by the Constitution and the laws of Kenya in carrying out his mandate if confirmed to lead the electoral body.
Ethekon also recognised the high expectations placed on the IEBC and its leadership, especially in light of past electoral controversies.
The vetting of IEBC nominees resumes following months of delay caused by a legal challenge filed by three petitioners, who argued the selection process lacked regional and gender balance.
With the court’s green light, Parliament is now moving forward with the vetting of both the chairperson and commissioners expected to steer the country through the next general election.
But the courts ruled that MPs could proceed with the vetting, since the appointing authority has to wait for court nod to gazette and subsequently swear in the nominees.
