The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has confirmed the departure of its Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, Mr. Marjan Hussein Marjan, following a mutual consent agreement to terminate his services.
The announcement, made Wednesday from the Commission’s Nairobi headquarters, marks a significant leadership transition for Kenya’s electoral body just over a year before the 2027 General Elections.
Mr. Marjan, who joined the IEBC as CEO and Commission Secretary in March 2022, will formally exit the position as the Commission begins recruiting his successor.
“This, in effect, brings to an end his tenure in IEBC and marks the beginning of the process of recruitment of a new CEO and Secretary to the Commission,” the IEBC stated in an official press release.
The Commission did not disclose specific reasons for the mutual separation but emphasized that the transition would be managed carefully to ensure continuity.
The electoral body announced that an interim replacement would be named shortly to maintain operational stability during the transition period.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission will announce an interim replacement who will take over as Acting CEO/CS in due course,” according to the statement signed by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, HSC.
The Commission praised Mr. Marjan’s leadership during a particularly challenging chapter in IEBC’s history, when the body operated without a full complement of commissioners.
“We particularly thank him for steering the Commission Secretariat during the period of absence of the Commissioners until when the current Commission was fully constituted on 11th July 2025,” the IEBC stated.
The Commission described the outgoing CEO as “a committed servant” who “offered his professional services and leadership to IEBC” throughout his tenure.
Coinciding with the leadership change, the IEBC announced plans for “critical reforms within the Secretariat” aimed at strengthening institutional capacity ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We wish to assure Kenyans that any changes will be designed to ensure we achieve effective institutional preparedness, strengthen our internal accountability and results oriented systems, and leadership continuity,” the Commission stated.
The electoral body emphasized its commitment to maintaining high standards in electoral management.
“The IEBC Secretariat is very crucial in service delivery on electoral management and related matters and it is the intention of the Commission that it has to reflect the level of preparedness, passion and commitment to delivering credible, free and fair elections in Kenya,” the statement read.
Despite the high-level departure, the IEBC moved swiftly to assure stakeholders that ongoing electoral activities would not be disrupted.
“The Commission assures the people of Kenya and stakeholders that the changes within its Secretariat and management arrangements will not affect our ongoing activities including the conduct of the by-elections and preparedness for the 2027 General Elections,” according to the official statement.
The Commission framed the changes as positive steps toward improved service delivery.
“Instead, we believe the changes are meant to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability of the Secretariat in service delivery to the people of Kenya,” the IEBC concluded.
As Mr. Marjan prepares to leave, the Commission extended its well wishes: “The Commission wishes the former CEO/CS well in his future endeavors.”
The search for a new CEO and Commission Secretary now begins at a critical juncture, with less than 18 months remaining before Kenyans head to the polls in 2027.
