The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has shortlisted nine candidates for the CEO post, including former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission Chief Executive Officer, Halakhe Waqo. The IEBC chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, announced that interviews will be conducted between November 12 and 13, 2026. Each candidate will be informed of the venue individually. The application period closed on August 11, 2026, with 304 valid applications received.
The shortlisted candidates include Martina Wato Yattani from Marsabit County, Anthony Omerikwa from Busia, Harley Mutisya from Makueni, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt from Homa Bay, and Andrew Gitau Kimani from Nairobi. Others are Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi from Wajir, Edward Katama Ngeywa from Trans Nzoia, and Nelly Ilongo from Taita Taveta. The commission considered the need for inclusion, specifically gender, regional balance, and representation of differently-abled persons.
Halakhe Waqo headed EACC as its first CEO when it transitioned from Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission in 2013. He has also served as a commissioner in the National Cohesion and Integration Commission. The IEBC received 304 applications for the post after an advert on July 28, following the resignation of former CEO Hussein Marjan in February.
Hussein Marjan resigned after a crisis meeting by IEBC commissioners on January 3, 2026, questioned his procurement decisions, governance, and continued stay in office. Reports from the Auditor General raised governance concerns in procurement and employment, including payments to advocates and handling of election technology. Marjan's two-year extension was triggered in the absence of commissioners back in 2024.
The commission named Moses Ledama Sunkuli as acting CEO for six months, and his term ended on August 4, 2026. Ruth Kulundu was named as his replacement for a two-month period until the appointment of a substantive CEO. Marjan thanked the IEBC staff for maintaining continuity, stability, and institutional readiness during a time of transition, particularly during the 2022 General Election.
In his exit message to staff, Marjan said the decision followed a mutual agreement on a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. He expressed gratitude for his time at the IEBC, where he first served as Deputy Commission Secretary from March 2015 before assuming the top role.
The IEBC chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, said the final shortlist considered the need to incorporate inclusion specifically gender, regional balance, and differently-abled persons. The commission will conduct interviews to select the most suitable candidate for the CEO post.
Key points
- Halakhe Waqo, former EACC CEO, is among nine candidates shortlisted for IEBC CEO post.
- IEBC received 304 applications for the CEO post, with interviews scheduled for November 12-13, 2026.
- The shortlisted candidates include individuals from various counties, reflecting the commission's effort to ensure regional balance and inclusion.
