Who is former IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan?

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, Marjan Hussein Marjan, on Tuesday stepped down.

In a statement, the Commission said the decision followed a mutual agreement to terminate his services.

Marjan was appointed CEO of IEBC in recognition of his strong academic and professional background in finance, auditing, and strategic management.

Born in 1979, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management from the University of Nairobi.

He is a certified accountant and audit professional, known for his expertise in finance, audit, and organizational leadership.

Before joining public service, Marjan spent over two decades at Telkom Kenya as Head of Internal Audit, Investigation, and Quality.

In March 2015, he joined the IEBC as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Support Services and later became the entity’s Lead Coordinator.

Following the exit of former CEO Ezra Chiloba in 2017, Marjan assumed the role of Acting CEO in September 2017, a position he held for almost five years.

In March 2022, he was confirmed as the substantive CEO after being selected from a shortlist of five candidates, ending a prolonged vacancy in the commission’s top administrative post.

As CEO, Marjan led the IEBC Secretariat, the administrative arm responsible for managing the day-to-day functions of Kenya’s electoral body.

He oversaw the commission’s preparations and operations during the 2022 Kenyan general election, bringing stability to the organisation after nearly five years of acting leadership.

Marjan’s professional qualifications include being a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K) and a practising member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK). He also holds certifications as an Information Systems Auditor (CISA), Internal Auditor (CIA), Control Self-Assessment specialist (CCSA), and Certified Quality Assessor (CQA).

These credentials placed him at the centre of financial oversight, risk management, and institutional governance at the commission.

He was a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA), reflecting his expertise in audit systems, internal controls, and corporate governance.

As IEBC CEO, Marjan served as the commission’s accounting officer and head of the Secretariat, overseeing day-to-day operations and supporting the implementation of commission decisions.

In acknowledging his service, IEBC described Marjan as a committed public servant who provided professional leadership during 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.

The Commission said the leadership transition comes as it embarks on internal reforms within the Secretariat, aimed at strengthening accountability, improving performance, and ensuring continuity in leadership.

According to IEBC, the changes are intended to enhance institutional preparedness ahead of key electoral milestones.

“The IEBC Secretariat is very crucial in service delivery on electoral management and related matters, and the Commission intends that it reflects the level of preparedness, passion, and commitment required to deliver credible, free, and fair elections in Kenya,” the statement added.