IEBC defends CEO shortlist over foreign applicants
The electoral commission states all shortlisted candidates for Chief Executive Officer are Kenyan citizens.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its shortlist for Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, stating all candidates are Kenyan citizens. Concerns were raised by the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, over approximately 44 names on the longlist appearing to be of foreign origin.
IEBC clarified that foreign nationals were eliminated at the preliminary stage for not meeting the citizenship requirement. The recruitment process was managed by KPMG Kenya. The commission explained that publishing all 304 applications was a constitutional requirement for transparency, not an indication of qualification.
Mandatory requirements for the position included Kenyan citizenship, a recognized degree, five years of senior management experience, and adherence to Chapter Six of the Constitution. IEBC stated that verification of national identity documents, citizenship, and academic qualifications confirmed that only Kenyan citizens made the final shortlist.
Why it mattersThe People's Coalition on Electoral Reforms warned that a questionable longlist could undermine public confidence in the recruitment of the commission's top administrative official.