IEBC defends CEO recruitment process amid foreign applicants row

IEBC defends CEO recruitment process amid foreign applicants row

The IEBC reiterated that the vacancy was advertised openly through newspapers, its official website and social media platforms, attracting applications from individuals of different nationalities.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its recruitment process for the position of Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer following public concern over the inclusion of foreign nationals among the 304 applicants.

In a statement, the IEBC clarified that all foreign nationals who applied for the position were disqualified for failing to meet the mandatory Kenyan citizenship requirement.

The Commission explained that it had contracted KPMG Kenya to manage the entire recruitment exercise, including the advertisement, receipt of applications, longlisting, verification of credentials and shortlisting.

It reiterated that the vacancy was advertised openly through newspapers, its official website and social media platforms, attracting applications from individuals of different nationalities.

"We cannot control who applies," the Commission said, adding that attracting applicants of different nationalities was normal for an open advertisement and did not constitute an anomaly.

The Commission added that publishing the names of all 304 applicants was intended to promote transparency and fair competition in accordance with Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution.

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It maintained that Kenyan citizenship was a mandatory requirement, alongside possession of a degree recognised in Kenya, at least five years of senior management experience, and compliance with the integrity provisions under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.

"Upon verification of national ID, citizenship and academic credentials, the final shortlist contains ONLY Kenyan citizens. All foreign applicants were disqualified at the preliminary stage for not meeting the citizenship requirement," IEBC stated.

The clarification follows concerns raised by a coalition associated with former Chief Justice David Maraga, which questioned the inclusion of about 44 names on the applicants' list, arguing that some appeared to have West African origins.

The controversy has reignited debate over the verification process, with questions emerging about how the Commission established the citizenship status of applicants.

The recruitment follows the departure of former Commission Secretary/CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan in February 2026, as the electoral agency seeks a substantive replacement ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Commission has assured the public that the exercise remains "transparent, competitive and merit-based", urging Kenyans to disregard attempts to politicise what it described as a standard recruitment process.