The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has responded to public concern regarding the inclusion of foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, in the list of applicants for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). According to the commission, a total of 304 applications were received after the vacancy was advertised widely through various channels. The IEBC emphasized that the presence of foreign applicants on the published list was a normal outcome of an open recruitment process.
The IEBC stated that it had hired KPMG Kenya, an auditing and advisory firm, to independently manage the entire recruitment exercise. The firm was tasked with advertising the vacancy, receiving applications, verifying credentials, long-listing candidates, and preparing the shortlist to ensure the process remained professional, competitive, and free from interference. This move was aimed at ensuring transparency and fair competition in the recruitment process.
The commission clarified that Kenyan citizenship was a mandatory requirement for the CEO position, alongside possessing a recognized degree, at least five years of senior management experience, and meeting integrity standards outlined in Chapter Six of the Constitution. As a result, all foreign applicants were eliminated during the preliminary screening stage following verification of national identity documents, citizenship status, and academic credentials.
The IEBC confirmed that only Kenyan citizens made it to the final shortlist of nine candidates. The commission stressed that applying for the position did not automatically mean an applicant qualified for consideration. The IEBC emphasized that the recruitment process was designed to be transparent and competitive, with all applicants listed publicly regardless of nationality.
A total of 304 applications were received from various countries, including the US, UK, Canada, Belgium, Australia, Denmark, Malaysia, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana. The wide advertisement of the vacancy through newspapers, the IEBC website, and social media platforms contributed to the diverse pool of applicants.
The commission's decision to use an independent firm to manage the recruitment process was aimed at minimizing potential biases and ensuring the selection of a qualified candidate for the position. The IEBC's move to defend its recruitment process comes amid public scrutiny of the inclusion of foreign nationals in the list of applicants.
The IEBC's recruitment process for the Commission Secretary and CEO position has been deemed transparent, with the commission ensuring that all applicants were given equal consideration. The commission's emphasis on Kenyan citizenship as a mandatory requirement for the position ensured that only eligible candidates proceeded to the final shortlist.
Key points
- The IEBC used an independent firm, KPMG Kenya, to manage the recruitment process for the Commission Secretary and CEO position.
- A total of 304 applications were received from various countries, with only Kenyan citizens making it to the final shortlist of nine candidates.
- The commission emphasized that Kenyan citizenship was a mandatory requirement for the CEO position, alongside other qualifications.
