NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its decision to publish the names of all 304 people who applied for its top administrative job, explaining that foreign nationals were screened out before the final shortlist was prepared.
In a statement issued on October 30, the commission said the presence of foreign names on the initial applicants’ list did not mean non-Kenyans had been considered eligible for appointment as Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
IEBC explained that the vacancy had been advertised openly through newspapers, its website and social media platforms, allowing interested individuals to submit applications.
However, it maintained that Kenyan citizenship was a mandatory requirement and that all foreign applicants were eliminated during the preliminary assessment.
“Any person can apply, but not everyone qualifies,” the commission said.
The clarification followed public questions after the publication of the 304 applicants’ names, with reports indicating that foreign nationals, including Nigerians, had submitted applications for the position.
Why IEBC published all 304 names
The commission said publishing the full list was a deliberate transparency measure guided by Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution.
Article 35 provides for access to information held by the State, while Article 232 outlines values and principles of public service, including transparency, accountability and fair competition.
IEBC said it could not control who submitted applications following the public advertisement, but insisted that eligibility was determined through a verification process.
The commission further disclosed that it contracted KPMG Kenya to manage the recruitment exercise, including advertising the vacancy, receiving applications, conducting the initial assessment, verifying credentials and preparing the shortlist.
According to IEBC, applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens, possess a degree recognised in Kenya, have at least five years of senior management experience and satisfy the leadership and integrity requirements under Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
It said national identification documents, citizenship status and academic qualifications were verified before the final shortlist was prepared.
“All foreign applicants were disqualified at the preliminary stage for not meeting the citizenship requirement,” the commission stated.
Nine candidates advance to interviews
The clarification comes two days after IEBC published a final shortlist of nine candidates who will compete for the position.
Those shortlisted include former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) chief executive Halakhe Waqo and National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) chief executive Anthony Omerikwa.
The other candidates are Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt, Andrew Gitau Kimani, Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.
The interviews are scheduled for November 12 and 13, 2026, with the commission expected to communicate the venue to each candidate individually.
The recruitment is taking place as IEBC prepares for the 2027 General Election, with the Commission Secretary and CEO responsible for overseeing the secretariat’s administrative and technical operations.
Ruth Kulundu is currently serving as acting Commission Secretary and CEO as the commission seeks to fill the position substantively.
IEBC has maintained that the recruitment process remains transparent, competitive and merit-based, insisting that the publication of foreign applicants’ names should not be confused with their eligibility for the job.
