BY FELIX WANJALA

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan, has resigned from office one and a half years before Kenya’s next general election. His departure comes after overseeing two national polls, both of which faced legal challenges.

The decision was reached through mutual agreement during a meeting chaired by IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon at the Commission’s headquarters in Anniversary Towers. In his resignation letter, Marjan reflected on the 2022 General Election, describing it as a period of heightened tension within the Commission.

He urged IEBC staff to remain united, committed to their duties, and guided strictly by the law. Chairman Ethekon confirmed that the Commission had resolved to relieve Marjan of his duties and assured the public that an acting CEO would be appointed as the recruitment process for a substantive replacement begins. Marjan’s tenure has not been without controversy. Opposition leaders previously accused him of awarding procurement tenders to firmsconsidered contentious, including Smartmatic, raising concerns about preparations for the 2027 General Election.

The CEO’s role is central to the functioning of the IEBC Secretariat, which manages the technical, logistical, and administrative aspects of elections. A leadership change at this level, so close to a national poll, carries significant implications. It could slow decision-making, spark political debate, and raise questions about whether reforms and operational plans will stay on track.

Kenya is entering a particularly sensitive period as it prepares for what is expected to be one of its most competitive elections in 2027. Civic groups and opposition leaders have repeatedly questioned the Commission’s capacity and neutrality. Leadership transitions, they argue, can either strengthen public confidence if reforms are implemented effectively or erode trust if they signal instability.