The departure of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein has once again drawn attention to the powerful but often little-understood Secretariat within Kenya’s electoral body.
The Commission announced Marjan’s exit as a “mutual separation,” bringing to a close a tenure that began during a period of institutional strain, following the resignation and removal of several commissioners after the 2022 General Election.
“It has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” Marjan said in a message to staff, commissioners and senior management, thanking them for their support and collegiality.
He expressed gratitude for his time at the Commission, where he first served as Deputy Commission Secretary/CEO from April 2015 before later assuming the top role.
He singled out staff for their commitment during the 2022 General Election, saying they helped maintain “continuity, stability and institutional readiness during a time of transition.”
Marjan urged employees to “stand firm in adhering to the rule of law, uphold integrity in the execution of your duties, and always remain guided by the supreme obligation to protect the democratic rights and interests of the citizens of our beloved Republic.”
His exit comes amid renewed political debate over the future of the Commission, reviving questions about the role, authority and vulnerability of the Secretariat and its head.
The Secretariat: IEBC’s operational core
The IEBC Secretariat is the administrative and technical arm of the Commission.
While commissioners serve as the public face of the institution—setting policy, providing oversight and making strategic decisions—the Secretariat manages day-to-day operations that underpin the electoral process.
Its mandate is anchored in the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, particularly Articles 249, 250 and 252, which establish independent commissions and empower them to recruit staff necessary to discharge their functions.
The IEBC Act, 2011, further provides for the office of Secretary to the Commission.
In practice, the Secretariat oversees voter registration, election logistics, procurement of materials, ICT systems, results transmission, human resource management and financial administration.
During election periods, it coordinates the deployment of tens of thousands of temporary officials nationwide.
The Secretary/CEO: Authority with limits
At the apex of the Secretariat is the Secretary to the Commission, who also serves as Chief Executive Officer and accounting officer.
In this dual capacity, the Secretary supervises staff and directorates, implements Commission decisions and coordinates nationwide election operations. As accounting officer, the role includes responsibility for the Commission’s budget, authorising expenditure, overseeing procurement and accounting to Parliament and oversight bodies for the use of public funds.
Despite the scope of these responsibilities, the Secretary does not set policy or override commissioners and is legally required to implement decisions of the Commission. This structure places the office holder in a sensitive position, particularly when operational matters intersect with political contestation.
Marjan’s tenure amid transition
Marjan assumed office in 2020 as the IEBC was grappling with internal divisions, staff departures and public scrutiny. His appointment was widely seen as part of efforts to stabilise the Secretariat and strengthen administrative systems ahead of the 2022 General Election.
During his tenure, the Secretariat oversaw the conduct of the 2022 polls, which were later upheld by the Supreme Court. Some observers credit him with helping maintain administrative continuity during a highly charged electoral cycle.
However, political debate persisted after the elections.
Opposition leaders, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, publicly called for Marjan’s resignation, arguing that his continued presence could affect confidence in future elections.
These views were contested by others, underscoring the polarised environment in which the Commission operates.
Why the office often attracts pressure
The IEBC Secretary’s position has historically drawn intense scrutiny because it sits at the intersection of operations, finance and technology.
The Secretariat oversees procurement processes, ICT systems such as voter registration and results transmission platforms, and the deployment of election officials—functions that are central to the credibility of elections. As a result, Secretaries often become focal points during periods of political tension.
When confidence in the electoral process wanes, pressure frequently shifts from commissioners—who enjoy constitutional tenure protections—to Secretariat leadership, whose contracts allow for negotiated exits, including mutual separations.
Marjan’s departure follows this pattern and has prompted renewed discussion about institutional continuity, institutional memory and preparedness for future electoral cycles.
A history of institutional strain
The turbulence surrounding the office of IEBC Secretary is not new.
Previous holders of the position have operated in challenging environments, particularly following disputed elections.
James Oswago, who served as CEO during the Commission’s early years after the 2010 Constitution, played a central administrative role in preparations for the 2013 General Election.
His tenure later became associated with prolonged legal and institutional challenges, highlighting the risks attached to managing procurement and operations in a politically sensitive setting.
He was succeeded by Ezra Chiloba, whose time as Secretary coincided with sharp disagreements between the Secretariat and commissioners after the 2017 General Election.
His suspension, reinstatement and eventual exit added to perceptions of instability within the institution.
It was against this backdrop that Marjan rose through the ranks—from deputy to acting CEO and eventually substantive Secretary—tasked with restoring stability to a Secretariat affected by staff exits, court processes and internal mistrust.
His departure now reopens broader questions about whether the Commission has been able to sufficiently shield its administrative core from recurring post-election pressures.
Governance tensions and the road ahead
Marjan’s exit also underscores long-standing governance tensions between commissioners and the Secretariat. While commissioners provide oversight and direction, operational decisions can carry political implications, sometimes blurring institutional lines.
Legal analysts note that when roles are not clearly observed, accountability can weaken and internal conflict intensify.
The Constitution envisages a professional Secretariat insulated from partisan influence, while remaining accountable to the Commission and public oversight bodies—a balance that has proved difficult to sustain.
Attention now turns to succession and continuity.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said in a statement on Tuesday night that the Commission will soon announce an interim replacement to serve in an acting capacity.
“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.
As the Secretariat moves into another period of transition, the focus will be on sustaining operational stability amid ongoing reform discussions, budget constraints and preparations for future by-elections and polls.
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