IEBC invites applications for CEO role ahead of 2027 General Election
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 28, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has opened applications for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO), marking a key step in strengthening the electoral agency as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
In a vacancy notice published on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the commission invited qualified and experienced Kenyans to apply for the position, with applications closing on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 5.00 pm.
The successful candidate will serve on a four-year contract, which may be renewed once for another four years subject to satisfactory performance.
In the advertisement, the commission said the successful applicant will lead the secretariat and oversee the day-to-day administration of the institution.
“The Commission is seeking to recruit a qualified and competent individual to fill this position,” IEBC said in the vacancy notice.
The Commission Secretary also serves as the Chief Executive Officer, the accounting officer of the commission, the head of the secretariat and the custodian of all commission records.
The office is responsible for implementing decisions made by the commission, supervising staff, coordinating the execution of the commission’s constitutional mandate and ensuring compliance with public service values and ethics.
According to the advertisement, the CEO will also prepare the commission’s annual plans and budgets, oversee financial and administrative management, implement the commission’s strategic plan and manage resources needed to deliver credible elections.
Qualifications
IEBC said applicants must be Kenyan citizens, hold a degree from a recognised university and have at least five years’ proven experience at management level.
Candidates must also demonstrate experience in at least one of the following areas: electoral matters, management, finance, governance, public administration, law or political science.
They must also meet the integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Applicants are required to submit a signed application letter, a detailed curriculum vitae with three professional referees, certified academic and professional certificates, a copy of their national identity card or passport and statutory clearance certificates.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to present original identification documents, academic certificates, transcripts and 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 during interviews.
IEBC directed applicants to submit their applications through executiverecruitment@kpmg.co.ke, quoting “Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO)” in the subject line.
The commission also encouraged women, youth, persons with disabilities and candidates from marginalised and minority communities to apply, saying it is an equal opportunity employer.
It further warned that canvassing would lead to automatic disqualification and noted that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted.
Vacancy follows Marjan’s exit
The recruitment comes months after former Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan left the electoral agency in February 2026 following a mutual agreement to end his service.
After his departure, the commission appointed Moses Ledama Sunkuli, who had been serving as Director of Electoral Operations, as Acting Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer for six months or until a substantive CEO is recruited.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said at the time that Sunkuli brought extensive institutional knowledge and experience to guide the commission during the transition.
However, the acting CEO has recently come under political scrutiny.
In April 2026, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi called for Sunkuli’s resignation, claiming irregularities in voter registration and claiming some voters had been transferred to different polling stations without their knowledge.
Muturi demanded an independent audit of the voter register and the commission’s digital systems, arguing that the concerns could affect public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC has previously maintained that the voter register is managed and updated in accordance with the law and has consistently defended the integrity of its electoral systems.
The recruitment of a substantive Commission Secretary and CEO comes as the electoral body continues preparations for the next General Election, with the successful candidate expected to oversee key administrative functions, election planning, procurement, voter registration and implementation of commission policies aimed at delivering credible, transparent and accountable elections.