IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan Resigns

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marjan Hussein Marjan has resigned.

Marjan revealed he had mutually agreed to proceed on a structured transition as the CEO of the electoral body.

“As you may be aware, the Commission and I have mutually agreed on a structured transition in the Office of the Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer. I write to you today to express my sincere appreciation to each one of you for the privilege of serving alongside you over the years,” Marjan wrote after a meeting with top IEBC officials on Tuesday, February 3, 2026.

Marjan, who joined the commission in 2015, started as a deputy commission secretary and later rose in rank to the chief executive officer.

“Since joining the Commission in April 2015, first as Deputy Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer and later as Commission Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, it has been an honour to work with a professional, dedicated, and resilient team committed to the constitutional mandate of the IEBC,” he explained.

The resignation comes days after he joined other IEBC officials and the State Department of Public Service and Human Capital Development to review and validate key human resource tools that will guide the commission’s operations going forward.

Pressure to exit

Meanwhile, his exit comes weeks after pressure from former Nairobi Town Clerk Philip Kisia calling for his resignation.

Speaking during an interview on Saturday, December 6, 2025, Kisia argued that Marjan should either be fired or voluntarily resign, noting that his prolonged stay at the commission has begun affecting the quality of his work.

He maintained that Marjan has overseen two elections and has served in the commission for many years, yet continues to insist on remaining in office despite having exceeded a reasonable tenure for such a sensitive position.

Kisia emphasised that principles of good governance require periodic leadership turnover, especially in institutions that handle critical national functions.

He questioned why the same individual should occupy the role for over a decade, suggesting that the commission or Marjan himself should have nurtured other professionals capable of taking up the responsibility after his exit.

He insisted that Marjan must leave office before the 2027 polls, adding that he personally has no confidence in the IEBC boss.

He further stated that leaders within the United Opposition, and a significant portion of Kenyans also lack trust in Marjan’s ability to deliver credible elections.

“This man must be shown the door before 2027; he actually must resign. This Marijan man must resign. I personally don’t have any confidence in Marjan. I can tell you from where I’m sitting that our leadership in the opposition and Kenya, to a large extent, have no confidence in him,” he said.