NAIROBI, Kenya — The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has confirmed the exit of its Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, Marjan Hussein Marjan, saying the decision was reached through mutual agreement and was not abrupt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, February 3, the Commission said Marjan’s tenure formally ended following a consensual termination of service, and that the recruitment process for a substantive replacement has already commenced.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission today announces the formal exit of its Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, Mr. Marjan Hussein Marjan, after reaching an agreement to terminate his services by mutual consent,” the Commission said.
IEBC assured the public that an acting CEO and Commission Secretary will be appointed to ensure continuity of operations and avoid disruptions to its constitutional mandate.
“The Commission will announce an interim replacement who will take over as Acting CEO and Commission Secretary in due course,” the statement said, adding that the transition is intended to maintain momentum in electoral operations, including elections and boundary delimitation.
The Commission linked Marjan’s departure to an ongoing restructuring of the Secretariat aimed at strengthening efficiency, accountability, and institutional preparedness ahead of future electoral cycles.
“As the current CEO and Commission Secretary exits, we embark on critical reforms within the Secretariat,” IEBC said, noting that the changes are designed to enhance internal accountability systems, leadership continuity, and results-oriented service delivery.
IEBC emphasised that the Secretariat plays a central role in electoral management and must reflect a high level of readiness and commitment to delivering credible, free, and fair elections.
The Commission also acknowledged Marjan’s role during a challenging transition period when IEBC operated without fully constituted commissioners.
“We particularly thank him for steering the Commission Secretariat during the period of absence of the Commissioners until the Commission was fully constituted on July 11, 2025,” the statement read.
Marjan was appointed CEO and Commission Secretary in March 2022.
IEBC reassured stakeholders that the leadership change will not affect ongoing electoral activities, including by-elections and preparations for the 2027 General Election.
“The Commission assures the people of Kenya that these changes will not affect our ongoing activities,” IEBC said, adding that the restructuring is intended to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability.
The announcement comes amid wider public scrutiny of the Commission’s constitutional mandate, particularly on electoral boundaries.
Last week, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the Commission has no authority to alter the number of constituencies during boundary reviews, citing Article 89 of the Constitution, which caps constituencies at 290.
He explained that the Commission’s mandate is limited to reviewing constituency names and adjusting boundaries to address population disparities, not increasing or reducing their number.
On wards, Ethekon noted a legal contradiction between the Constitution, which gives IEBC authority to determine ward numbers, and the County Governments Act, which caps wards at 1,450.
He said the Commission has opted for a phased boundary review approach to avoid operational strain and safeguard preparedness for the 2027 General Election.
