IEBC Explains Why Foreign Applicants Were Disqualified From CEO Recruitment

IEBC Explains Why Foreign Applicants Were Disqualified From CEO Recruitment

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has clarified that all foreign applicants for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer were disqualified during the preliminary assessment for failing to meet the Kenyan citizenship requirement.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, the commission addressed public concerns after foreign nationals reportedly appeared among the 304 people who applied for the senior position.

IEBC explained that receiving applications from foreign nationals did not amount to a breach of recruitment rules, as the citizenship requirement was assessed before candidates progressed to the final shortlist.

The commission said it verified applicants’ national identification documents, citizenship status and academic qualifications before selecting candidates for the next stage.

“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,” the statement read.

The clarification followed questions raised on social media over the presence of foreign names on the list of applicants, with Nigerians reportedly among those who had submitted applications.

IEBC maintained that the recruitment process remained open to applications from members of the public, but only candidates who satisfied the stipulated requirements could proceed.

IEBC defends transparency in recruitment

The commission said the vacancy was advertised through newspapers, its official website and social media platforms to ensure that interested and qualified individuals had an opportunity to apply.

It explained that publishing the names of all 304 applicants was part of its commitment to transparency and accountability in public recruitment.

According to IEBC, the disclosure was guided by Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution, which address access to information, transparency, accountability and fair competition in public service.

The commission said the publication of applicants’ names should not be interpreted as confirmation that everyone listed met the eligibility requirements.

Instead, the preliminary assessment was intended to establish whether applicants satisfied the basic qualifications before the recruitment process advanced.

Requirements for IEBC chief executive position

IEBC outlined several mandatory qualifications for candidates seeking the Commission Secretary and CEO position.

Applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens, hold a degree recognised in Kenya and have at least five years of senior management experience.

They were also required to meet the leadership and integrity standards set out under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the relevant provisions of the IEBC Act.

The commission said these requirements were applied during the recruitment process to determine which candidates qualified for consideration.

To support the exercise, IEBC contracted KPMG Kenya to oversee key stages of recruitment, including advertising the vacancy, receiving applications, conducting preliminary assessments, verifying credentials and preparing the shortlist.

The arrangement was intended to support the administration of the process and ensure that applications were assessed against the prescribed criteria.

Nine candidates shortlisted for interviews

The final shortlist, published on October 28, contains nine Kenyan candidates who will proceed to the interview stage.

They include former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive Halakhe Waqo and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) CEO Anthony Omerikwa.

The other shortlisted candidates are Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.

IEBC has scheduled interviews for November 12 and 13 as it seeks to fill the position substantively.

IEBC prepares for 2027 General Election

The recruitment comes as the commission prepares for the 2027 General Election, making the appointment of its chief executive an important administrative priority.

The Commission Secretary and CEO oversees the institution’s day-to-day operations and supports the implementation of electoral processes.

Deputy Commission Secretary for Operations Ruth Kulundu is currently serving in an acting capacity.

IEBC’s latest clarification seeks to address concerns about the eligibility of applicants while maintaining that citizenship and other qualifications were assessed before the final shortlist was released.

The recruitment process will now proceed to interviews, with the successful candidate expected to assume the commission’s top administrative role following the completion of the selection and appointment procedures.

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IEBC Explains Why Foreign Applicants Were Disqualified From CEO Recruitment