The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced a leadership change following the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan.
The departure marks the end of a long period of service at the electoral body, where he worked for nearly a decade in different senior roles.
Marjan joined the commission in 2015 and first served as Deputy Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer before later being appointed to the top administrative position.
In his resignation statement, he said the decision to leave office was reached after wide consultations with senior officials of the commission. He did not give specific reasons for stepping down but indicated that the move was agreed upon jointly with the commission’s leadership.
“As you may be aware, the Commission and I have mutually agreed on a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. I write to you today to express my sincere appreciation to each one of you for the privilege of serving alongside you over the years,” Marjan said in his letter.
In a message addressed to IEBC staff, he thanked both commissioners and employees for their professionalism and support throughout his time at the commission.
He praised their efforts during the 2022 General Election and the period that followed, saying their commitment helped the institution carry out its constitutional duties.
He also encouraged staff to continue upholding integrity and respect for the rule of law as the transition process begins.
He added, “Since joining the Commission in April 2015, first as Deputy Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and later as Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, it has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC.”
As CEO, Marjan oversaw the daily operations of the commission. His responsibilities included managing elections, supervising human resource functions, and ensuring the implementation of policies set by the commission.
His role placed him at the center of key electoral processes and administrative decisions.
The IEBC confirmed his exit on Tuesday evening, February 3, saying that an interim CEO would be named in due course.
The commission said the move was part of efforts to maintain institutional readiness ahead of future elections. It emphasized that the secretariat plays a critical role in delivering credible electoral services.
Marjan’s resignation comes at a time when the commission is under increased public and political pressure as preparations for the 2027 General Election begin.
Recently, leaders from the United Opposition visited the IEBC offices and raised concerns they said required urgent attention.
During that visit, Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua openly criticized Marjan, with opposition leaders expressing a lack of confidence in his leadership.
