The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially launched the recruitment process for a substantive Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), opening applications for one of the country’s most critical public offices ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The recruitment follows the departure of former Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, with Moses Ledama Sunkuli currently serving in an acting capacity after assuming office in February 2026.
The successful candidate will lead the commission’s Secretariat and oversee its administrative, financial and operational functions as IEBC prepares to conduct the country’s next General Election, as well as any by-elections and referenda that may arise during the tenure.
Key qualifications for applicants
In a public notice, the commission invited qualified Kenyans to apply for the position, saying applicants must be Kenyan citizens and hold a degree from a recognized university.
Candidates must also have at least five years of proven experience at a senior management level and demonstrate expertise in areas such as electoral matters, governance, finance, public administration, management, law or political science.
Additionally, applicants must satisfy the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution, which governs leadership and integrity for holders of public office.
The commission said shortlisted candidates will be required to present original copies of their national identification documents, academic and professional certificates, transcripts and testimonials during the interview process.
They will also be required to provide valid clearance certificates from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) and a registered Credit Reference Bureau (CRB).
CEO to oversee commission operations
According to the commission, the successful candidate will serve as the Chief Executive Officer, head the Secretariat, act as the Accounting Officer and remain the custodian of all commission records.
The office holder will be responsible for implementing decisions made by the commission, coordinating the execution of IEBC’s constitutional mandate, supervising employees and ensuring that the institution maintains high standards of professionalism, accountability and ethical conduct.
Other responsibilities include preparing annual work plans and budgets, overseeing financial and administrative management, mobilizing resources, implementing the commission’s strategic plan and ensuring the safe custody of official records.
The CEO will also assign duties to staff, monitor institutional performance and provide strategic leadership aimed at strengthening the commission’s capacity to deliver credible, transparent and efficient electoral services.
Four-year contract
IEBC said the successful applicant will be appointed on a four-year contract, which may be renewed once for an additional four-year term subject to satisfactory performance.
Interested candidates are required to submit a signed application letter, a detailed curriculum vitae containing the contacts of three professional referees, certified copies of academic and professional certificates, a copy of their national identification document and all statutory clearance certificates.
Applications must be submitted electronically, quoting “Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO)” in the subject line, no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 11, 2026.
Equal opportunity recruitment
The commission emphasized that it is an equal opportunity employer and encouraged women, youth, persons living with disabilities, marginalized groups and minority communities to apply.
IEBC also warned that canvassing will result in automatic disqualification and noted that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The recruitment comes at a crucial time as the electoral agency continues rebuilding its leadership ahead of the 2027 General Election, with the incoming CEO expected to play a central role in strengthening institutional preparedness, improving operational efficiency and supporting the commission’s constitutional mandate of delivering free, fair and credible elections.
