The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has shortlisted nine candidates for the position of Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO), with interviews scheduled for November 12 and 13, 2026.
In a statement on October 10, the commission said it received 304 valid applications after publishing an advertisement in print media and on its website on July 28, 2026. The application period closed on August 11 at 5 pm East Africa Time.
“@IEBCKenya invited applications from interested and suitably qualified persons for appointment to the position of Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO) through an advertisement published in the print media and on the Commission’s website on 28th July 2026.”
IEBC Names 9 Candidates in Race for Commission Secretary/CEO Position
IEBC said the final shortlist considered inclusion, with attention to gender, regional balance and persons with disabilities.
The nine shortlisted candidates are:
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Anthony Omerikwa from Busia County
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Halakhe Waqo from Marsabit County
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Harley Mutisya from Makueni County
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Edmund Odiwuor Malitt from Homa Bay County
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Andrew Gitau Kimani from Nairobi County
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Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi from Wajir County
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Edward Katama Ngeywa from Trans Nzoia County
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Martina Wato Yattani from Marsabit County
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Nelly Ilongo from Taita Taveta County
Also Read: IEBC Suspends Upcoming By-Election
IEBC said it would communicate the interview venue to each shortlisted candidate individually.
“The shortlisted candidates will be interviewed between 12 November 2026 and 13 November 2026. The Commission will communicate the interview venue to each candidate individually,” the body stated.
Current CEO and How the IEBC CEO Position Became Vacant
As of October 28, 2026, Ruth K. S. Kulundu is serving as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Commission Secretary of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
She also holds the position of Deputy Commission Secretary responsible for operations, according to the commission’s secretariat listing.
The substantive CEO position fell vacant on February 3, 2026, when Marjan Hussein Marjan left the commission. IEBC said his departure followed “an agreement to terminate his services by mutual consent.” Marjan had served as the substantive CEO since March 2022.
Moses Ledama Sunkuli subsequently served as acting CEO before Kulundu took over. Reports on her appointment indicated that she assumed the role on August 5, 2026, after Sunkuli’s six-month acting term ended.
Role of the IEBC CEO Ahead of the 2027 Elections
The CEO heads the IEBC secretariat, which handles the commission’s day-to-day administration and implements commissioners’ decisions.
Also Read: IEBC Completes Receipt of Authorised Party Officials Ahead of 2027 Polls
Under Section 10(7) of the commission’s Act, the officeholder serves as the commission’s chief executive, head of the secretariat, accounting officer and custodian of its records.
The role involves coordinating electoral preparations, supervising staff, overseeing financial administration, maintaining official records and ensuring compliance with public ethics and values.
The CEO also facilitates the implementation of key electoral activities, including voter registration, revision of the voters’ roll, candidate registration, voter education and the conduct of elections.
However, the position does not replace the decision-making authority of the commissioners. The law requires the CEO to be “responsible, answerable and report to the Commission.”
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