The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has shortlisted nine candidates for interviews for its Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer (CS/CEO) position, with a former anti-graft agency chief and the head of the national drug-control authority among those seeking the job.
In a shortlist published on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, the commission named former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive Halakhe Waqo and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) Chief Executive Officer Anthony Omerikwa among the candidates selected for interviews scheduled for November 12 and 13.
The other candidates are Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.
IEBC said it received 304 valid applications after advertising the position on July 28, with the application window closing on August 11, 2026.
The commission said the final shortlist considered gender, regional balance and the inclusion of persons with disabilities, to the extent reasonably possible based on the applicant pool.
Waqo, who was appointed the pioneering Secretary/CEO of the EACC in January 2013, brings experience from the leadership of the country's principal anti-corruption agency. Omerikwa, meanwhile, heads NACADA, the state agency responsible for coordinating efforts to prevent and control alcohol and drug abuse.
The candidates are drawn from eight counties. Omerikwa is listed under Busia, Waqo and Wato Yattani under Marsabit, Mutisya under Makueni, Malitt under Homa Bay, Kimani under Nairobi, Abdi under Wajir, Ngeywa under Trans Nzoia and Ilongo under Taita Taveta.
Interviews will begin on November 12, with Omerikwa scheduled for 9am, followed by Waqo at 10.30am, Mutisya at noon, Malitt at 2pm and Kimani at 3.30pm.
On November 13, Abdi will be interviewed at 9am, Ngeywa at 10.30am, Wato Yattani at noon and Ilongo at 2pm. IEBC said it would communicate the interview venue to each candidate individually.
Those shortlisted must present original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, transcripts and supporting testimonials. They must also provide clearances from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board and a registered Credit Reference Bureau.
The recruitment follows the departure of former Commission Secretary/CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, whose services ended by mutual agreement in February 2026. Marjan had served as IEBC's Deputy Commission Secretary/CEO from April 2015 before assuming the top administrative position.
The commission subsequently relied on acting leadership as it sought a substantive replacement. Ruth Kulundu was appointed acting Commission Secretary/CEO effective August 5, 2026, replacing Moses Ledama Sunkuli, whose six-month acting tenure had ended.
The successful candidate will head the IEBC secretariat, serve as the commission's accounting officer and oversee its day-to-day administrative and financial operations. The role also involves implementing commission decisions, supervising staff, managing resources and maintaining official records.
The appointment comes as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, when IEBC will be responsible for coordinating key electoral preparations, including voter registration, election logistics and the administration of the polls.
The successful applicant will serve a four-year term, renewable once subject to satisfactory performance. The recruitment is therefore a key step in establishing the administrative leadership expected to support the commission's preparations for the next general election.
