Marjan Hussein Resigns as IEBC CEO
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan has resigned from his position, ending nearly a decade-long tenure at the electoral body amid mounting political pressure and heightened scrutiny ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 3, Marjan confirmed that his decision to step down followed extensive consultations with senior officials of the commission. While he did not disclose specific reasons for his resignation, he indicated that the move was mutually agreed upon with the commission’s leadership as part of a structured transition.
“As you may be aware, the Commission and I have mutually agreed on a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer,” Marjan said in a letter addressed to IEBC staff. “I write to you today to express my sincere appreciation to each one of you for the privilege of serving alongside you over the years.”
Marjan joined the IEBC in April 2015 as Deputy Commission Secretary and was later appointed Commission Secretary and CEO. During his tenure, he oversaw the commission’s day-to-day operations, including election management, human resource administration, procurement, and the implementation of commission policies.
In his farewell message, Marjan commended commissioners and staff for their professionalism and resilience, particularly during the highly contested 2022 General Election and the subsequent transition period.
“Since joining the Commission in April 2015, first as Deputy Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and later as Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, it has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” he stated.
He urged staff to remain steadfast in upholding integrity, professionalism, and the rule of law as the handover process begins, noting that the credibility of the commission depends heavily on the conduct of its secretariat.
The IEBC later confirmed Marjan’s departure in an official statement released on Tuesday evening, announcing that an interim CEO would be appointed in due course to ensure continuity of operations.
“The IEBC Secretariat is very crucial in service delivery on electoral management, and it is the intention of the Commission that it reflects the level of preparedness, passion, and commitment required to deliver credible, free, and fair elections in Kenya,” the commission said.
Marjan’s resignation comes at a sensitive time for the electoral body, which is under increasing pressure from political stakeholders and sections of the public as preparations for the 2027 polls gradually take shape. In recent weeks, opposition leaders have intensified their engagement with the commission, raising concerns over electoral reforms, voter register integrity, and institutional preparedness.
Just days before Marjan’s exit, leaders from the United Opposition visited the IEBC headquarters, where they presented a list of demands they said required urgent attention to restore public confidence in the commission.
During that visit, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua was particularly critical of Marjan’s leadership, openly expressing doubts about his suitability to steer the commission through the next election cycle.
“We do not have confidence in the current leadership of the secretariat to deliver a free and fair election,” Gachagua said at the time, remarks that added to the growing political pressure surrounding the commission.
As the IEBC prepares to name an interim CEO, attention is now shifting to how the commission will navigate leadership transitions while addressing calls for reforms and maintaining public trust ahead of the next general election.
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Marjan Hussein Resigns as IEBC CEO
