The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has shortlisted nine candidates for its top administrative job, reopening a recruitment process that has become a recurring challenge for the electoral body as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
The position of commission secretary and chief executive officer has been marked by public disputes, procurement controversies and political pressure, with the three previous substantive office holders — James Oswago, Ezra Chiloba and Hussein Marjan — all leaving before completing a conventional full electoral cycle in the role.
The latest recruitment follows Marjan’s departure in February, which the commission described as a mutual agreement to terminate his services. His exit came less than two years before the next General Election and after opposition leaders questioned whether he could oversee a credible poll.
In its announcement of the shortlist, the IEBC said it had received 304 valid applications after advertising the position on July 28, 2026.
“The application period closed on 11th August 2026 at 17:00 EAT with three hundred and four (304) valid applications received,” the commission said.
It added that the selection process considered inclusion, including gender, regional balance and persons with disabilities.
“This final shortlist presented has taken into consideration the above requirements, layered with the need to drive inclusion such as gender, regional balance, differently-abled persons to the extent reasonable and possible based on the applicant pool,” IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon said.
The nine candidates are Anthony Omerikwa of Busia County, Halakhe Waqo and Martina Wato Yattani of Marsabit County, Harley Mutisya of Makueni County, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt of Homa Bay County, Andrew Gitau Kimani of Nairobi County, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi of Wajir County, Edward Katama Ngeywa of Trans Nzoia County and Nelly Ilongo of Taita Taveta County.
The candidates will be interviewed on November 12 and 13, with the venue to be communicated to them individually.
The successful candidate will oversee the IEBC secretariat, which handles the commission’s day-to-day administration, procurement, finances, staffing and technical preparations for elections. The office also coordinates the implementation of decisions made by commissioners.
The appointment comes as the commission prepares for the August 2027 elections, when it will be expected to manage voter registration, election technology, polling arrangements and the tallying of results.
But the history of the office shows the challenges facing whoever gets the job.
Oswago’s tenure shadowed by procurement scandal
James Oswago served as interim chief executive of the electoral commission in 2011 before being confirmed in the position. His tenure covered preparations for the 2013 General Election.
His departure became associated with the so-called Chickengate scandal, involving allegations of bribery by British printing firm Smith & Ouzman in connection with contracts for election materials. The company was found guilty in the United Kingdom of paying bribes to secure business, while Kenyan officials faced scrutiny over procurement decisions.
Oswago was also accused of irregularities in the procurement of electronic voter identification devices used in the 2013 elections, including approving payments to Face Technologies. The controversy formed part of wider concerns about the commission’s handling of election-related contracts.
The allegations and procurement disputes underscored the financial and legal risks facing the secretariat, whose officials are responsible for turning the commission’s electoral plans into operational reality.
Chiloba’s exit followed public row with Chebukati
Ezra Chiloba succeeded Oswago and served as IEBC chief executive from 2015. His tenure was marked by tensions with then commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati following the disputed 2017 presidential election.
Chiloba was sent on compulsory leave in April 2018 before being suspended in June pending an audit of major procurement contracts relating to the August 2017 election and the repeat poll held in October that year.
He was dismissed on October 12, 2018, after the dispute escalated into a public confrontation within the commission.
Chiloba challenged his suspension and termination in court, arguing that his employment had been wrongfully terminated and seeking compensation.
In a statement following his dismissal, Chiloba said the outcome had been expected.
“The outcome was already pre-determined and the process was a mere formality,” he said.
He warned that the dispute went beyond his individual circumstances, adding: “My employment termination should not be seen as an issue of my person but of the holder of the office. It brings into focus the major governance crisis at the IEBC; an issue that will affect even the next office holder if the matter is not addressed.”
The public dispute exposed the difficulties of managing the relationship between the commissioners, who make policy decisions, and the secretariat, which implements them.
Marjan leaves after opposition pressure
Marjan, who had served as deputy commission secretary from 2015, became acting CEO after Chiloba’s exit and was confirmed to the substantive position in March 2022.
He oversaw the secretariat during the 2022 General Election and continued serving during the period when the commission operated without a fully constituted team of commissioners.
The IEBC announced his departure on February 3, 2026, describing it as an agreement to terminate his services by mutual consent.
In its statement, the commission said the transition would allow it to undertake reforms within the secretariat and strengthen accountability and institutional preparedness.
Marjan also described his departure as a structured transition.
“It has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” he said in his message to staff.
He thanked employees for maintaining continuity during a difficult period and urged them to uphold professional standards.
“Stand firm in adhering to the rule of law, uphold integrity in the execution of your duties, and always remain guided by the supreme obligation to protect the democratic rights and interests of the citizens of our beloved Republic,” he said.
However, his departure followed mounting pressure from opposition leaders who questioned whether he should remain in office ahead of the 2027 election.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka was among those who called for Marjan’s removal, arguing that his continued stay could undermine confidence in the next election.
“Mr Marjan cannot be trusted to preside over the 2027 General Election. He should be paid the one-year remaining in his contract. Elections won’t be free and fair if he is there,” Musyoka said.
The IEBC later explained that the mutual separation was intended to avoid possible legal disputes over Marjan’s contract and give a new CEO time to prepare for the election.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, IEBC vice-chairperson Fahima Araphat said the commission did not want the recruitment and contract process to become the subject of litigation so close to the election.
“It’s in the public domain that the tenure of our former CEO was coming to an end in March 2027 and that the elections are slated for August,” she said.
“We all understand the litigious nature of our country and we didn’t want a scenario where, as a commission, we could be renewing his contract and we are taken to court for any other reason,” Araphat added.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo questioned the timing of the exit, noting that Marjan had attended a parliamentary retreat in Naivasha shortly before his departure without indicating that he was about to leave.
The commission said it would recruit a replacement through a transparent and competitive process.
A new CEO faces a tight election timetable
After Marjan’s departure, Moses Ledama Sunkuli was appointed acting CEO for six months. Ruth Kulundu subsequently took over in an acting capacity as the recruitment of a substantive office holder continued.
The next CEO will inherit a secretariat expected to deliver the 2027 election while managing procurement, technology and other preparations that have historically attracted political and public scrutiny.
The office holder will also have to maintain a working relationship with the commissioners and ensure that operational decisions are implemented transparently.
