IEBC says all nine shortlisted candidates meet the Kenyan citizenship requirement.
The electoral commission says citizenship checks eliminated foreign applicants before shortlisting nine candidates for interviews in November 2026.
The IEBC CEO shortlist contains only Kenyan citizens, the electoral commission has said following questions about foreign applicants. It said verification checks eliminated foreign nationals before the final selection of nine candidates.
The clarification follows concerns from the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga. The coalition questioned about 44 names on the longlist, claiming they appeared foreign, particularly West African.
However, IEBC said publishing all 304 applications did not mean every applicant qualified for the position. It described the disclosure as a constitutional requirement supporting transparency and fair competition.
IEBC CEO shortlist followed citizenship checks
The commission said it contracted KPMG Kenya to oversee recruitment of the Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. Its responsibilities covered advertising, receiving applications, longlisting, verification and shortlisting.
Meanwhile, the vacancy appeared in newspapers, on the commission’s website and across its social media platforms. IEBC explained that an open application process allowed people to apply without guaranteeing their eligibility.
Applicants needed Kenyan citizenship, a degree recognised in Kenya and at least five years of senior management experience. They also had to comply with Chapter Six of the Constitution and the IEBC Act.
During verification, recruiters checked national identity documents, citizenship and academic qualifications, the commission said. As a result, foreign applicants failed the mandatory citizenship test and did not reach the shortlist.
IEBC also cited Articles 35 and 232 of the Constitution in explaining its publication of applications. These provisions address access to information and public service principles, including transparency and fair competition.
Coalition questions transparency as interviews approach
The coalition challenged the credibility of the longlist and asked the commission to clarify the correct applicant list. It also questioned why so many people it suspected were foreigners had applied.
Because IEBC manages elections, the coalition argued that recruitment should meet the highest accountability standards. It warned that doubts over the longlist could weaken public confidence and urged transparency, merit and integrity.
However, the commission maintained that recruitment remained transparent, competitive and merit-based. It urged Kenyans to reject what it described as efforts to politicise a routine recruitment exercise.
The nine shortlisted candidates are Anthony Omerikwa, Halakhe Waqo, Harley Mutisya, Edmund Odiwuor Malitt and Andrew Gitau Kimani. The list also includes Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi, Edward Katama Ngeywa, Martina Wato Yattani and Nelly Ilongo.
The candidates will attend interviews on November 12 and 13, 2026. The successful candidate will serve as the commission’s chief administrative officer, overseeing its day-to-day operations.
