The race to lead the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) secretariat has officially begun after the electoral body advertised the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, months after the departure of Marjan Hussein Marjan.
The vacancy marks the latest step in the Commission's leadership transition following Marjan's exit on February 3, 2026, after more than a decade of service at the electoral body. His departure paved the way for the recruitment of a substantive Commission Secretary and CEO, who will be tasked with steering the secretariat as the country prepares for future electoral activities.
In the vacancy notice, the Commission said it is seeking "a qualified and competent individual" to fill the position, which is established under Article 88 of the Constitution.
"The Commission is seeking to recruit a qualified and competent individual to fill this position," the notice states.
The IEBC said the Commission Secretary serves as the Chief Executive Officer, head of the secretariat, accounting officer and custodian of all commission records. The office is responsible for implementing the Commission's decisions, supervising employees, coordinating execution of the Commission's mandate and ensuring efficient day-to-day administration.
The successful candidate will also provide leadership to the secretariat, oversee financial and administrative management, prepare annual plans and budgets, mobilise resources and drive implementation of the Commission's strategic plan while safeguarding official records.
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens holding a degree from a recognised university, with at least five years' experience at management level. They should also have proven experience in electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, law or political science, and meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to produce original academic and professional certificates, identification documents, testimonials and clearance certificates from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.
The position is offered on a four-year contract, renewable once for a further four-year term subject to satisfactory performance. Interested candidates have until August 11, 2026, at 5.00 p.m. to submit their applications.
The recruitment follows the exit of Marjan, who said his departure was reached through a mutual agreement on "a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer."
"It has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC," Marjan said in his farewell message to staff.
He thanked employees for their dedication during the 2022 General Election, saying they maintained "continuity, stability, and institutional readiness during a time of transition."
The Commission later confirmed that the decision to end Marjan's tenure had been reached through mutual agreement, bringing to a close his leadership of the Secretariat. Marjan had joined the IEBC in March 2022 and led the institution during a period when it operated without a fully constituted Commission until commissioners assumed office on July 11, 2025.
In recognising his contribution, the Commission described him as a committed public servant who provided professional leadership during a critical period for the institution.
On February 4, 2026, the IEBC appointed Director of Electoral Operations Moses Ledama Sunkuli as Acting Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer with immediate effect. He is serving in the position for six months or until the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO is completed.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon thanked Marjan for his service, saying, "We thank Mr. Marjan for his dedication and professional service to the IEBC and wish him well in his future endeavours."
Marjan stepped down after mounting pressure from opposition parties calling for his exit ahead of the next General Election. The recruitment of a substantive Commission Secretary and CEO is expected to complete the Commission's transition and strengthen the leadership of its secretariat ahead of future electoral processes.