The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has identified nine candidates for the position of chief executive officer (CEO) as it gears up for the August 2027 General Election. IEBC chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon announced that interviews for the shortlisted candidates will take place on November 12 and 13. The commission received a total of 304 applications for the position before the deadline.
The shortlisted candidates include prominent figures such as Anthony Amerikwa, the current chief executive of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (Nacada), and Halakhe Waqo, a former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive. Other candidates are Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani, and Nellie Ilongo.
According to Mr. Ethekon, the selection process considered the requirements of the position and the need to promote inclusion. The shortlist reflects a balance of gender, regional representation, and inclusion of differently-abled persons, where possible, based on the applicant pool. This move is seen as a strategic step towards ensuring a fair and transparent electoral process.
The IEBC CEO position has been vacant since the resignation of Marjan Hussein Marjan in June 2023, which was described as a mutual agreement. Mr. Marjan had been with the commission since March 2022 and played a crucial role during the transition period when the IEBC operated without a fully constituted team of commissioners.
Shortlisted candidates are required to present several documents, including national identity cards, academic and professional certificates, transcripts, and clearance certificates from various agencies such as the EACC, Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and technical operations of the IEBC secretariat, managing financial resources, and implementing policies and strategies adopted by the commissioners. The CEO will also play a critical role in coordinating the administration of elections, referenda, voter registration, and boundary reviews.
The selected CEO will serve a four-year term, renewable subject to performance. The recruitment process is critical for the IEBC as it prepares for the 2027 General Election, which is expected to come under intense scrutiny. The commission's ability to manage the electoral process efficiently will be closely watched by stakeholders and the public.
Key points
- Nine candidates have been shortlisted for the IEBC CEO position.
- Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will take place on November 12 and 13.
- The successful candidate will serve a four-year term, renewable subject to performance.
