Former EACC chief Halakhe Waqo is among nine candidates shortlisted for the IEBC chief executive role.
The electoral commission will interview nine candidates on November 12 and 13, 2026, as it seeks a substantive chief executive ahead of the 2027 election.
Former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chief executive Halakhe Waqo features on the nine-person IEBC CEO shortlist. The electoral commission will hold interviews on November 12 and 13, 2026.
Waqo will face the selection panel on November 12 at 10:30am, the commission’s shortlist shows. Meanwhile, the IEBC said it would notify each candidate individually about their interview venue.
The recruitment covers the combined position of Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer. It also comes as the commission prepares for the 2027 General Election after a series of acting appointments.
Who is on the IEBC CEO shortlist?
Alongside Waqo, the commission has shortlisted eight other candidates from the following counties:
- Anthony Omerikwa — Busia
- Harley Mutisya — Makueni
- Edmund Odiwuor Malitt — Homabay
- Andrew Gitau Kimani — Nairobi
- Mohamed Abdullahi Abdi — Wajir
- Edward Katama Ngeywa — Trans Nzoia
- Martina Wato Yattani — Marsabit
- Nelly Ilongo — Taita Taveta
For the interviews, candidates must present original identification documents, academic and professional certificates, transcripts and testimonials. They must also provide clearance certificates from five bodies.
These are the EACC, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Revenue Authority and Higher Education Loans Board. In addition, applicants need clearance from a registered Credit Reference Bureau.
The commission warned that canvassing would automatically disqualify a candidate from the recruitment process. It also said merit would guide the appointment through fair and open competition.
Acting appointments ahead of substantive recruitment
In August, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon appointed Ruth Kulundu as acting CEO and Commission Secretary. Kulundu serves as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Operations.
Her acting appointment covered two months or until the commission concluded recruitment of a substantive office holder. She took over from Moses Ledama Sunkuli after his six-month acting tenure ended.
Earlier, Sunkuli had assumed the role in February following the departure of former Commission Secretary and CEO Marjan Hussein. Sunkuli is the commission’s Director of Electoral Operations.
The substantive chief executive will oversee the IEBC Secretariat’s daily administration and implement the commission’s decisions. The office holder will also manage finances and coordinate preparations for the 2027 General Election.
