Karua raises eyebrows on appointment of new IEBC CEO
By Cynthia Lodite, February 6, 2026The People’s Liberation Party leader, Martha Karua, has raised concerns over the appointment of the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) acting Chief Executive Officer.
Taking to her official X account on Friday, February 6, 2026, Karua faulted the electoral body for appointing Moses Ledama Sunkuli, describing the move as ‘mischief’.
Karua questioned IEBC’s move in bypassing two deputies of the former CEO, Marjan Hussein Marjan.
On her part, Karua questioned whether Kenyans were missing out on something following the move by the electoral body.
“Why would @IEBCKenya bypass the two deputies of the former CEO in this appointment, which is temporary? Is there something we are missing, or is it mischief at play?” Karua said.
IEBC acting CEO
Karua’s remarks come a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced the appointment of Moses Ledama Sunkuli as the new acting Chief Executive Officer.
In a press release on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the Electrol Chairman Erustus Ethekon announced that Ledama assumes office as of Thursday, February 5, 2026.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) wishes to announce the appointment of Mr. Moses Ledama Sunkuli as the Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, effective immediately,” IEBC chairman announced.
Meanwhile, his appointment follows an exit by Marjan Hussein Marjan, who served in the capacity of a CEO until his recent exit from the Commision.
According to the Electoral body, Ledama has been serving the Commission as a Director of Electoral Operations, and hence brings extensive experience and internal institutional knowledge to the CEO role.
“This appointment follows the exit of the former Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sunkuli, who currently serves as the Commission’s Director of Electoral Operations, brings extensive experience and internal institutional knowledge to this role,” IEBC stated.
According to the electoral body, Mr Sunkuli will serve in an acting capacity for a period of six (6) months or until the recruitment and appointment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer is finalised.
The Commission has also announced it’s committment to fast-tracking the recruitment of a substantive Chief Executive Officer and ensuring a seamless transition, while maintaining the highest standards of excellence in service delivery to the people of Kenya.
Hussein Marjan’s exit
Ledama’s appoinment come just days after former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marjan Hussein Marjan announced his resignation from the electoral body.
At the time,Marjan revealed he had mutually agreed to proceed on a structured transition as the CEO of the electoral body.
“As you may be aware, the Commission and I have mutually agreed on a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. I write to you today to express my sincere appreciation to each one of you for the privilege of serving alongside you over the years,” Marjan wrote after a meeting with top IEBC officials on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.
Marjan, who joined the commission in 2015, started as a deputy commission secretary and later rose in rank to the chief executive officer.
“Since joining the Commission in April 2015, first as Deputy Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and later as Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, it has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” he explained.