IEBC Admits Foreigners Applied for CEO Job after Reports on 40 Nigerian Applicants

The IEBC told TUKO.co.ke that the commission outsourced the recruitment process to an independent professional firmForeign nationals were among 304 applicants after the vacancy was advertised openly in newspapers, on the IEBC website, and on social mediaThe commission confirmed that all foreign applicants were disqualified at the preliminary stage over the citizenship requirementSearch option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has clarified that its final shortlist for the position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer includes only Kenyan citizens, despite public concern over the number of foreign nationals who submitted applications.

IEBC Admits Foreigners Applied for CEO Job after Reports about 40 Nigerians Source: Twitter

The Commission addressed the matter through an official press release and a separate communication with TUKO.co.ke, confirming that KPMG Kenya was contracted to oversee the recruitment process.

The firm's mandate covered advertising the vacancy, receiving and reviewing applications, verifying credentials, and producing a final shortlist.

IEBC Communications Officer Edgar Aswani said KPMG was given clear Terms of Reference to guide the exercise.

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The debate intensified after the IEBC published the full list of 304 applicants in compliance with Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution, which require transparency and fair competition in public processes.

Reports that approximately 40 Nigerian nationals had applied drew significant public attention.

The Commission explained that it advertised the position openly in newspapers, on the IEBC website, and on its social media platforms, making it accessible to anyone.

Aswani further noted that applicants had to submit documents confirming their identity and Kenyan citizenship as part of the verification process. All foreign nationals were ruled out at the preliminary stage for failing to meet this mandatory requirement.

The mandatory qualifications for the role included Kenyan citizenship, a degree recognised in Kenya, at least five years of senior management experience, and compliance with Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.

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The process is now advancing to the interview stage. According to Aswani, shortlisted candidates will face further scrutiny during interviews aimed at identifying the most suitable candidate for the role.

The IEBC urged members of the public to disregard attempts to politicise what it described as a standard, merit-based recruitment exercise, reaffirming its commitment to a transparent and competitive process.

Asher Omondi (Copyeditor) Asher Omondi is currently the Head of Business Desk at TUKO.co.ke. He has over seven years of experience in digital media. Previously, he had worked in various organisations both as a social media manager and a monitor (FEMNET, Ghafla Kenya). He was a Broadcast Journalism student at the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication class of 2013. You can reach Asher at asher.omondi@tuko.co.ke.