The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has defended its recruitment process for a new chief executive, confirming that no foreign nationals made the final shortlist despite appearing among the 304 applicants for the position.
The clarification follows public concerns over the inclusion of foreign nationals in the list of applicants seeking to become the Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer.
In a statement issued on Friday, October 30, the commission said all foreign applicants were disqualified during preliminary screening for failing to meet the mandatory Kenyan citizenship requirement.
“We cannot control who applies,” IEBC said, explaining that the vacancy had been advertised openly through newspapers, its website and social media platforms.
“Any person can apply, but not everyone qualifies,” the commission added.
IEBC maintained that the presence of foreign nationals on the applicants’ list did not mean they were eligible for the position or had progressed to the shortlisting stage.
The commission said applicants were required to be Kenyan citizens, possess a degree recognized in Kenya, have at least five years of senior management experience and satisfy the requirements of Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
“Upon verification of national ID, citizenship and academic credentials, the final shortlist contains ONLY Kenyan citizens,” IEBC stated.
The electoral agency also defended its decision to publish the names of all 304 applicants, saying the move was guided by Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution, which provide for access to information, transparency and fair competition.
To safeguard the independence and credibility of the exercise, IEBC said it contracted KPMG Kenya to oversee the entire recruitment process.
The firm’s responsibilities included advertising the vacancy, receiving applications, longlisting candidates, verifying credentials and preparing the shortlist.
The commission has since shortlisted nine candidates for the position, including former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Halakhe Waqo and acting NACADA chief Anthony Omerikwa.
The nine candidates are scheduled for interviews on November 12 and 13, 2026.
The recruitment comes as IEBC prepares for the 2027 General Election, with the incoming chief executive expected to oversee the commission’s administrative operations.
The commission also urged the public to disregard what it described as attempts to politicize the recruitment exercise, insisting that all applicants were assessed against the advertised eligibility requirements.
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