The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially launched the recruitment process for a new Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), marking a significant step in rebuilding the electoral agency’s leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC starts hunt for Marjanβs successor as the agency strengthens its management team.
In a public notice released on Tuesday, the commission invited qualified Kenyans to apply for the position, with applications set to close at 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026. The successful candidate will be appointed on a four-year contract, renewable once for another four years based on satisfactory performance.
The vacancy follows the departure of former Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, whose exit was announced by the commission in February after both parties agreed to terminate his services by mutual consent. His departure ended a tenure that began in March 2022 and paved the way for a broader leadership transition within the electoral body.
The recruitment exercise comes at a crucial period for the IEBC as it intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election. The incoming CEO will be expected to oversee the day-to-day operations of the commission’s secretariat while supporting the commissioners in implementing key electoral reforms, voter registration, election logistics, procurement, and policy execution.
According to the commission, the Commission Secretary doubles as the accounting officer and chief administrator of the IEBC Secretariat, making the office one of the most influential positions within Kenya’s electoral management framework.
The holder of the office is responsible for implementing decisions made by the commission, managing staff and resources, coordinating election operations, and ensuring the institution effectively discharges its constitutional mandate. The CEO also serves as the link between the commissioners and the secretariat, playing a central role in planning and executing electoral activities.
To qualify for the position, applicants must be Kenyan citizens holding at least a university degree from a recognized institution and possess a minimum of five years’ experience in senior management. Candidates must also demonstrate expertise in one or more relevant fields, including electoral management, governance, finance, public administration, law, management, or political science.
Additionally, successful applicants must satisfy the integrity and leadership requirements outlined under Chapter Six of the Constitution, which governs ethical conduct for holders of public office.
The commission has outsourced the recruitment process to an independent consultant, with interested candidates required to submit their applications electronically before the August 11 deadline. The move is expected to enhance transparency and ensure a competitive selection process for one of the country’s most sensitive public offices.
Following Marjan’s exit, Moses Ledama Sunkuli was appointed Acting Commission Secretary and CEO to ensure continuity in the commission’s operations as the search for a substantive office holder commenced. The IEBC has maintained that the transition has been designed to avoid disruptions to its constitutional responsibilities, including election management, voter registration, boundary delimitation, and the conduct of by-elections.
When announcing Marjan’s departure in February, the commission said his exit would coincide with internal reforms aimed at strengthening institutional accountability, enhancing operational efficiency, and improving preparedness for future elections. It thanked the outgoing CEO for steering the secretariat during a period when the commission operated without commissioners before the appointment of the current team.
The appointment of a substantive CEO is expected to be one of the most consequential decisions undertaken by the newly constituted commission as it works to restore public confidence and prepare the country for the next electoral cycle.
The incoming office holder will inherit a demanding agenda that includes supervising continuous voter registration, coordinating election technology procurement, managing electoral finances, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and ensuring the commission is fully prepared for the 2027 polls.
The recruitment also comes as the IEBC continues implementing recommendations aimed at improving electoral credibility following previous elections. Analysts have noted that stable leadership within the commission’s secretariat will be critical in ensuring timely planning, effective procurement, staff preparedness, and transparent election management.
With just over a year remaining before preparations for the next General Election gather pace, the commission is keen to have a substantive CEO in office to provide strategic leadership and institutional stability.
The successful candidate will therefore play a pivotal role not only in managing the commission’s day-to-day affairs but also in shaping Kenya’s electoral preparedness at a time when public expectations for credible, transparent, and efficient elections remain high.
Applications for the position close on August 11, after which the commission is expected to begin shortlisting candidates before interviews and the eventual appointment of the new Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
