Sifuna: We should await details on Marjan’s early exit

ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna has commented on the exit of  Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan.

Speaking on February 3, Sifuna said it was too early to make conclusions.

According to Sifuna, the circumstances surrounding the early exit were not yet clear.

"For me, it would be prudent for us to await the details of the circumstances of his early exit for us to make any meaningful comment," Sifuna stated.

"The problem we have with the commission is that most of the time, we do not know many of the reasons behind the decisions that they make."

On February 3, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon confirmed that Marjan had exited as CEO.

In a statement, the Commission said the decision followed a mutual agreement to terminate his services, marking a leadership transition at the electoral body.

The IEBC said Marjan’s departure brings to an end his tenure at the Commission and initiates the process of recruiting a new CEO and Secretary.

It added that an interim replacement will be announced in due course to serve in an acting capacity, as part of measures to ensure continuity within the Secretariat.

“The Commission is committed to a seamless transition designed to maintain momentum in carrying forward IEBC’s constitutional mandates, including the conduct of elections and boundaries delimitation,” the statement said.

Marjan joined the IEBC in March 2022 and served during a period when the Commission operated without a fully constituted team of commissioners.

According to the IEBC, he oversaw the Secretariat during this period until the current Commission was fully constituted on July 11, 2025.

In acknowledging his service, the Commission described Marjan as a committed public servant who provided professional leadership during what it termed a critical phase in the institution’s operations.

“We particularly thank him for steering the Commission Secretariat during the period of absence of the Commissioners,” said IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon.

On his part, Marjan said the decision followed a mutual agreement on “a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer.”

He expressed deep gratitude for his time at the IEBC, where he first served as Deputy Commission Secretary/CEO from April 2015 before assuming the top role.

“It has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” he wrote.

He singled out staff for their commitment during the 2022 General Election, noting that they maintained “continuity, stability, and institutional readiness during a time of transition.”

He thanked Commissioners, senior management, and staff for their support and collegiality, adding: “It has been the greatest honour of my professional life to walk this journey with you. I am confident that the Secretariat will continue to uphold its mandate with integrity, professionalism, and excellence.”