IEBC chairperson nominee Erastus Ethekon has revealed that he was initially reluctant to apply for the position due to the controversy and public scrutiny surrounding the role.
Speaking before the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee on Saturday, Ethekon said he only submitted his application after being encouraged by three young Kenyans he met at a cyber café in South Africa, where he regularly photocopies documents.
“At first, I was reluctant even to apply for this job, given the negativity and all these things around this position,” Ethekon told MPs.
He named the three individuals as Peter, Purity, and Kizito, noting that they urged him to go for the top job, insisting he had the integrity and qualifications to lead the commission.
“I had initially thought of applying for a commissioner’s position only, but they pushed me to try for both roles. They even went ahead and submitted the documents and sent me a screenshot as proof,” he said.
Ethekon clarified that he personally prepared and signed the documents before entrusting the trio to submit them.
“I bound everything and asked them to proceed once all was in order,” he said, adding that he still has a copy of the application.
He dismissed any claims that his application was politically motivated, stressing that his candidacy was inspired by ordinary citizens who believed in his leadership.
“I just want Kenyans to know that ordinary citizens also care, and they are the ones who encouraged me,” he said.
Ethekon added that his nomination followed a transparent process, including public interviews and legal vetting.
“The interviews were aired live, I gave my reasons for applying, and the rest followed the law,” he said.
He acknowledged that the IEBC chairmanship is a position of great responsibility and prestige, but one that also comes with intense pressure and risk.
