IEBC Opens Race for Powerful CEO Job as 2027 Election Countdown Intensifies
Qualified Kenyans have until August 11 to apply for the powerful electoral post, with the successful candidate set to take charge of IEBC operations ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially opened applications for its powerful Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer position, setting the stage for a closely watched recruitment process less than two years before Kenya’s next General Election.
In a notice published on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, the electoral commission declared the position vacant and invited qualified Kenyan citizens to apply.
The successful candidate will serve for four years, with the possibility of a further four-year term subject to satisfactory performance.
Applications must be submitted by 5pm on August 11, 2026, according to the recruitment notice.
The appointment is likely to attract intense attention because the Commission Secretary and CEO occupies one of the most powerful administrative positions within Kenya’s electoral machinery.
The office-holder serves as the commission’s accounting officer and is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the IEBC Secretariat.
That means the incoming CEO will inherit responsibility for a vast operational structure as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election, including preparations involving voter registration, election logistics, procurement, staffing and implementation of electoral policies.
Marjan exit opened the door
The vacancy follows the departure of former IEBC CEO and Commission Secretary Marjan Hussein Marjan in February 2026.
IEBC announced on February 3 that Marjan’s services had been terminated by mutual consent, bringing his tenure to an end and triggering the process of recruiting a new CEO and Commission Secretary.
The commission said the transition was intended to preserve continuity as it continued preparing to deliver its constitutional mandate.
“This, in effect, brings to an end his tenure and marks the beginning of recruiting a new CEO and Secretary to the Commission,” IEBC said in its February statement.
Following Marjan’s exit, IEBC appointed Moses Ledama Sunkuli, then Director of Electoral Operations, as Acting Commission Secretary and CEO.
Sunkuli was appointed for six months or until the recruitment and appointment of a substantive CEO was finalised.
Who can apply?
The commission has set out stringent requirements for applicants seeking to take control of the electoral body’s secretariat.
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens, possess a degree from a recognised university and have at least five years of proven management experience.
Candidates must also demonstrate experience in at least one relevant field, including:
- Electoral matters
- Management
- Finance
- Governance
- Public administration
- Law
- Political science
Applicants must additionally satisfy the leadership and integrity requirements contained in Chapter Six of the Constitution.
Shortlisted candidates will be required to present original identification and academic documents, alongside clearance certificates from relevant government agencies during the interview process.
High-stakes appointment before 2027
The timing of the recruitment makes the process particularly significant.
The next substantive CEO will be expected to oversee the commission’s administration during a crucial phase of preparations for the 2027 polls.
The position touches some of the most sensitive areas of election administration, including voter registration, procurement of election materials, logistics, staffing and management of electoral technology.
The CEO also oversees permanent and temporary personnel working across the country and plays a central role in ensuring the commission’s policies are translated into day-to-day operations.
The office has previously come under intense public scrutiny because of its role in managing election preparations, including the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS), procurement of election materials and coordination of polling activities.
With the 2027 election approaching, the new appointment is therefore likely to be judged not only on administrative competence but also on the ability to strengthen confidence in the electoral process.
IEBC has previously said its Secretariat must reflect “preparedness, passion, and commitment” to delivering credible, free and fair elections.
The recruitment now places the commission at another critical crossroads: finding a substantive CEO capable of steering its administration through one of Kenya’s most politically consequential election cycles.
For aspiring candidates, the deadline is clear — 5pm on August 11, 2026.
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