The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has clarified that all foreign nationals who applied for the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer role were disqualified during the preliminary stage of the recruitment process. This comes after concerns were raised on social media about the presence of foreign names on the initial list of applicants. The IEBC stated that citizenship is a mandatory requirement for the position.
According to the IEBC, a total of 304 candidates applied for the CEO role, but only Kenyan citizens were eligible to proceed to the final stage of the recruitment process. The commission verified national identification documents and citizenship status before shortlisting candidates. The requirement for Kenyan citizenship is a constitutional mandate, and the IEBC stressed that receiving applications from non-citizens does not constitute an irregularity.
The IEBC noted that the vacancy was advertised through various channels, including newspapers, its website, and social media, allowing anyone to apply. However, only qualified candidates who met the requirements advanced to the next stage. The requirements included holding a degree recognised in Kenya, possessing at least five years of senior management experience, and meeting the leadership and integrity standards set out in Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
The recruitment process was overseen by KPMG Kenya, which handled advertising, receipt of applications, initial assessment, credential verification, and preparation of the shortlist. The IEBC released a shortlist of nine Kenyan candidates on October 28, including former EACC CEO Halakhe Waqo and NACADA CEO Anthony Omerikwa, among others. The commission ensured transparency in the recruitment process by publishing the full list of 304 applicants.
Social media users had raised concerns after seeing foreign names, including Nigerians, on the published list, prompting the IEBC to clarify the disqualification of foreign applicants. The commission assured the public that the recruitment process was fair and transparent, and that only qualified candidates were shortlisted for the final stage.
Interviews for the shortlisted candidates are scheduled for November 12 and 13 as the IEBC seeks to appoint a permanent CEO ahead of the 2027 General Election. Deputy Commission Secretary for Operations Ruth Kulundu is currently acting in the role. The IEBC's decision to clarify the disqualification of foreign applicants aims to ensure transparency and credibility in the recruitment process.
The IEBC's move to appoint a new CEO is crucial in ensuring the smooth operation of the commission, particularly with the 2027 General Election approaching. The commission's commitment to transparency and fairness in the recruitment process is essential in maintaining public trust and confidence. The appointment of a new CEO will also provide an opportunity for the commission to strengthen its leadership and prepare for the upcoming election.
Key points
- The IEBC disqualified all foreign applicants from the CEO recruitment process due to citizenship requirements.
- The commission ensured transparency in the recruitment process by publishing the full list of 304 applicants.
- Interviews for the shortlisted candidates are scheduled for November 12 and 13.
