Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has undergone multiple leadership transitions since 2017, each shaping public trust in the electoral process. From the resignation of commissioners after the disputed 2017 polls to the recent exit of CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan in 2026, these changes highlight the Commission’s ongoing struggle to balance credibility, transparency, and political pressure.
2017 – Resignations After Disputed Elections
- Following the August 2017 General Election and the Supreme Court’s annulment of the presidential results, IEBC faced intense scrutiny.
- Commissioner Roselyn Akombe resigned in October 2017, citing lack of independence and threats to staff.
- Chairman Wafula Chebukati remained, but divisions within the Commission eroded public confidence.
- Impact: The resignations reinforced perceptions of internal dysfunction, weakening trust in IEBC’s ability to deliver credible elections.
2018–2020 – Leadership Vacancies and Partial Reconstitution
- Several commissioners resigned between 2018 and 2020, leaving IEBC without a fully constituted team.
- Chebukati continued as Chair, but the Commission operated with minimal quorum, raising legal and operational concerns.
- Impact: Prolonged vacancies undermined IEBC’s legitimacy, with critics questioning its capacity to manage by-elections and reforms.
2022 – Appointment of Marjan Hussein Marjan as CEO
- In March 2022, Marjan Hussein Marjan was appointed CEO and Commission Secretary.
- He oversaw the Secretariat during the August 2022 General Election, which saw disputes over the presidential tally.
- Four commissioners (dubbed the “Cherera Four”) publicly disowned the final presidential results announced by Chebukati, deepening divisions.
- Impact: Marjan’s tenure was marked by controversy over election technology procurement and internal accountability, fueling opposition mistrust.
2023–2025 – Judicial Scrutiny and Reforms
- Courts nullified several parliamentary and county elections, citing irregularities.
- IEBC faced heightened scrutiny, with calls for reforms in procurement and transparency.
- By July 2025, the Commission was fully reconstituted with new commissioners under Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.
- Impact: The reforms aimed to restore credibility, but lingering mistrust from the 2022 disputes kept IEBC under pressure.
2026 – Resignation of CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan
- On February 3, 2026, Marjan resigned by mutual agreement with the Commission.
- Chairperson Ethekon framed the move as part of critical reforms to strengthen accountability and efficiency.
- Opposition parties had demanded Marjan’s exit, accusing him of hastily renewing contracts with election technology providers.
- Impact: His resignation opens the door for reform-minded leadership but raises concerns about stability just 18 months before the 2027 General Election.
Conclusion
Since 2017, IEBC’s leadership changes have consistently shaped perceptions of election credibility in Kenya. Each transition whether through resignations, appointments, or reforms has reflected the Commission’s struggle to balance political pressures with its constitutional mandate. As Kenya heads toward the 2027 polls, the appointment of a new CEO and the implementation of reforms will be decisive in determining whether IEBC can rebuild public trust and deliver a credible election.
