NAIROBI, Kenya — The Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ), commonly known as the Office of the Ombudsman, has appointed Naisiae Paloshe Tobiko as its new Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary following a competitive recruitment process conducted in line with constitutional and statutory requirements.
In a statement issued on June 16, 2026, the commission said the appointment followed a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based selection exercise carried out in accordance with Article 232 of the Constitution, the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, and applicable Public Service Commission recruitment guidelines.
According to the commission, the recruitment attracted 40 applications from professionals drawn from various sectors. After evaluating qualifications, experience, and suitability for the position, 10 candidates were shortlisted and invited for interviews.
The shortlisted candidates underwent assessments focusing on leadership capability, strategic vision, professional competence, integrity, and their capacity to provide effective stewardship of the institution.
“The Commission upheld the principles of fairness, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, equal opportunity, and competitiveness throughout the process,” the statement said.
Following the interviews and deliberations, the commission identified Tobiko as the most suitable candidate to lead the institution.
Tobiko brings more than 15 years of experience in governance, electoral management, and public administration. Before her appointment, she served as a County Elections Manager at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), where she oversaw electoral operations, institutional planning, stakeholder engagement, governance processes, and financial management.
She holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Daystar University, with additional studies in Psychology and Community Development. She has also undertaken professional training in strategic leadership, democratic elections management, public relations, and public administration.
During her tenure at the IEBC, Tobiko held several senior positions, including Manager of Commission Services, Manager of Field Services, Office Executive to the Chairperson, and Constituency Elections Coordinator. The commission said these roles equipped her with extensive experience in institutional governance, stakeholder coordination, and implementation of key organisational priorities.
As Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, Tobiko will serve as the accounting officer of the commission and provide strategic leadership in implementing its programmes and policies. She is expected to spearhead efforts aimed at enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening stakeholder engagement, and advancing the institution’s strategic objectives.
The commission noted that Tobiko will play a central role in promoting administrative justice, addressing maladministration in public institutions, facilitating access to information, and strengthening accountability and transparency across the public sector.
The Ombudsman plays a critical oversight role by investigating complaints against public agencies and promoting responsive administration.
The commission congratulated Tobiko on her appointment and expressed confidence that her experience and leadership would support the institution’s mandate of safeguarding citizens’ rights and advancing good governance in Kenya.
It also thanked all applicants who participated in the recruitment process, noting that the quality of applications reflected continued public confidence in the commission and its constitutional role in promoting accountability, transparency, and responsive public administration.
