The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has addressed concerns regarding the publication of a list of 304 applicants for the position of Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. The commission stated that only Kenyan citizens were considered for the role after verifying the citizenship and academic credentials of all applicants. This clarification was necessary due to questions raised about the presence of foreign nationals on the published list.
According to the IEBC, foreign nationals who applied for the position were eliminated at the preliminary stage of the recruitment process. The commission emphasized that the decision to publish the full list of applicants was made to promote transparency and comply with constitutional requirements on access to information and fair competition. The recruitment process was overseen by KPMG Kenya, who managed advertisement of the position, receipt of applications, long-listing, verification, and shortlisting.
The position of Commission Secretary/CEO was advertised openly in newspapers, on the IEBC website, and across its social media platforms. The commission stated that the presence of foreign names on the published list did not imply that non-Kenyans had been considered for the final position. The IEBC noted that it is normal for open advertisements to attract applicants of various nationalities, but only those meeting the mandatory requirements were shortlisted.
The IEBC outlined that the successful applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens, hold a degree recognized in Kenya, have at least five years' senior management experience, and meet the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act. Citizenship was among the mandatory requirements for the position, verified before candidates were shortlisted. The commission assured the public that the recruitment process remains transparent, competitive, and merit-based.
The commission contracted KPMG Kenya to ensure professionalism and independence in filling the position of the electoral body's chief executive. Upon verification of national ID, citizenship, and academic credentials, the final shortlist contains only Kenyan citizens. Foreign applicants were disqualified during the preliminary stage because they did not meet the citizenship requirement.
The IEBC urged the public to disregard attempts to politicize the recruitment process. The clarification comes as the commission prepares to complete the recruitment of a substantive Commission Secretary/CEO. The position plays a central role in the administration of elections and the day-to-day operations of the electoral body.
The commission assured the public that the process is designed to ensure the selection of a qualified candidate who meets the constitutional and statutory requirements for the position. The IEBC emphasized its commitment to transparency and fair competition throughout the recruitment process.
Key points
- Only Kenyan citizens were shortlisted for the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer position.
- Foreign nationals were eliminated at the preliminary stage due to not meeting the citizenship requirement.
- The recruitment process was designed to ensure professionalism, transparency, and independence.
