The People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms has given the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) 24 hours to verify the identities and citizenship of approximately 44 applicants whose names appeared on the commission’s longlist for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
In a statement issued on October 29, 2026, the Coalition questioned the authenticity of the IEBC recruitment list.
It claimed that its review identified about 44 names it considered suspicious because of their perceived West African origins.
“ A thorough audit of the officially published longlist of applicants by IEBC has revealed deep anomalies, notably the inclusion of approximately 44 names that strongly suggest the applicants are not Kenyan citizens, featuring names that are erstwhile of West African descent,” the coalition stated.
The group is demanding that IEBC provide documentary evidence confirming that the individuals submitted genuine applications and meet the citizenship requirements for the position.
In addition, the Coalition acknowledged that names alone cannot establish a person’s nationality, arguing that the commission should rely on verifiable records rather than assumptions to address the concerns.
The Coalition has demanded that IEBC release verified documentation and proof of application for the contested names within 24 hours.
It warned that failure to comply would prompt it to pursue legal action under the constitutional right of access to information.
The ultimatum forms part of the Coalition’s 288 days of electoral integrity vigilance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During the electoral vigilance, the coalition noted that it would continue monitoring electoral reforms and the recruitment of personnel responsible for managing the vote.
Also Read: IEBC Shortlists 9 Candidates for CEO Position
304 Applications for IEBC CEO Position
By the August 11 deadline, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had received 304 applications for the Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO) position.
IEBC had advertised the vacancy with the recruitment process set for July 28, 2026.
In a notice signed by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, the commission said the applications were assessed against key requirements, including Kenyan citizenship, submission of complete application documents, compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution, and the relevant professional experience.
Of the 304 valid applications received, IEBC shortlisted 9 candidates for interviews, including Anthony Omerikwa, Halakhe Waqo, Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.
The commission also announced that it will interview the shortlisted candidates between November 12 and 13, 2026.
Demands Public Disclosure of Electoral Staff Recruitment
Beyond the CEO recruitment, the Coalition is calling for public disclosure and vetting of recruitment lists for key electoral positions.
According to the Coalition, the positions include 290 Constituency Returning Officers, 47 County Election Managers and more than 55,000 Presiding Officers expected to participate in the management of the 2027 General Election.
The coalition argued that the vetting process should extend to all personnel entrusted with administering elections to ensure transparency and accountability throughout the electoral structure.
Citing Articles 10, 73 and 232 of the Constitution of Kenya, it argued that public recruitment must uphold national values, leadership and integrity requirements, and the principles governing public service.
It also referred to Articles 81, 86 and 138, which outline constitutional requirements governing electoral systems, voting procedures and presidential elections.
The group maintains that the integrity of electoral officials is essential to ensuring credible election administration.
Also Read: Who Is Halakhe Waqo? Former EACC Boss Eyeing Top IEBC Job
Links Concerns to Wider Electoral Reforms
Beyond the 44 suspected foreigners in the recruitment list, the statement also raised concerns about recent amendments to Section 39 of the Elections Act, claiming that the process did not adequately consider the Coalition’s proposed amendments.
The People’s Coalition further questioned the government’s handling of public institutions and national assets.
The identified cases included the Kenya Pipeline Company and reported concessions involving Dangote and the proposed Lamu Oil Refinery.
“This pattern mirrors a broader agenda of this regime’s criminal and unpatriotic style of continuous auctioning of Kenyan sovereignty, through opaque structural overhauls and asset-stripping observed in key national entities like the Kenya Pipeline Company and the secretive concessions to Dangote for the Lamu Oil Refinery,” part of the statement read.
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