The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its recruitment process for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, insisting that the final shortlist comprises only Kenyan citizens following the verification of applicants' credentials.
The Commission said all foreign nationals who applied for the position were disqualified at the preliminary stage for failing to meet the mandatory citizenship requirement set out in the vacancy advertisement.
In a statement issued on Friday, IEBC said the recruitment attracted 304 applicants, whose names were made public in line with constitutional provisions on transparency, access to information and fair competition in public service appointments.
The commission explained that it contracted KPMG Kenya to independently manage the entire recruitment exercise, including advertising the vacancy, receiving applications, conducting longlisting, verifying applicants' qualifications and preparing the final shortlist.
Addressing concerns and discussions that emerged following the publication of the applicants' names, IEBC said the vacancy had been advertised openly through newspapers, its official website and social media platforms to give all interested candidates an opportunity to apply.
It maintained that the presence of foreign nationals among the applicants was not an indication of irregularities in the recruitment process, noting that open advertisements allow anyone to submit an application, although eligibility is determined by the stipulated requirements.
"Any person can apply, but not everyone qualifies," the commission said, adding that the decision to publish the names of all 304 applicants was guided by Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution.
Article 35 guarantees citizens the right of access to information held by the State, while Article 232 outlines the values and principles of public service, including transparency, accountability and fair competition in appointments and promotions.
IEBC further clarified that Kenyan citizenship was a mandatory requirement for anyone seeking to occupy the position of Commission Secretary and CEO.
Other requirements included possession of a university degree recognised in Kenya, at least five years of senior management experience and compliance with the integrity provisions under Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the IEBC Act.
The commission said it undertook verification of national identity documents, citizenship status and academic credentials before determining which candidates met the threshold for consideration.
Following the exercise, IEBC confirmed that only Kenyan citizens made it to the final shortlist, with all foreign applicants eliminated during the preliminary screening for failing to satisfy the citizenship requirement.
The commission has maintained that the recruitment exercise is being conducted transparently and competitively, with applicants assessed against the requirements set out in the advertisement.
It also urged members of the public to disregard what it termed attempts to politicise a standard recruitment exercise, assuring Kenyans that the process remains independent and merit-based.
The recruitment of the Commission Secretary and CEO is a key appointment for IEBC, with the office responsible for overseeing the commission's secretariat and supporting its administrative and operational functions.
