A rancorous standoff over election material procurement contracts at Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for the 2027 General Election and a push for a new voter register are said to have pushed out Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary Marjan Hussein Marjan, Tell Media can report.

While Marjan vouched for the old register – previously described former South African Judge Johann Kriegler as “polluted” – the new commission – said to be under pressure from the executive – wants a new roll. Either way, the tussle over procurement contracts would require annulling the old ones with attendant legal disputes or signing new ones and bloating IEBC budget.

With the 2027 election looking dicey for the governing United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is determinedly pushing for higher voter numbers in regions traditionally perceived as apathetic to elections due to historical injustices and marginalisation.

The push by President William Ruto and UDA is informed by the growing perception that they have already lost traction in central Kenya and are keen to fill the ensuing deficit with more numbers in Nyanza, western, north-eastern and northern Kenya.

Insiders told Tell Media that in addition to pushing for a new voter roll by IEBC Chair Erastus Edung Ethekon’s new team that has been in office for barely seven months, it is alleged that during the period the executive and legislature tussled over reconstitution of the commission, Marjan took advantage of the vacuum and worked clandestinely with former commissioners to commit IEBC in controversial contracts with suppliers.

The new commission accuses him of single-handedly awarding lucrative contracts, and procured all materials and services required for 2027 General Election, it is alleged.

“There was a fierce tussle over procurement contracts. The new commissioners want a fresh start. It looks like Marjan had awarded contracts and procured materials for the 2027 elections, which leaves the new team with nothing else to do. It is a well-documented fact at IEBC that procurement presents an avenue to pinch money. As it stands, Ethekon’s team will wait to invite bids for the 2032 election materials – that is, if they will still be in office,” a senior IEBC secretariat staffer disclosed.

Given the high turn-over of staff and commissioners at the election no one is ever sure seeing out their tenure of office.

Even more intriguing is the politics of the day. With Mt Kenya seemingly out of reach of President William Ruto – at last for the time being – the staffer explained that the commission is under pressure to register more voters in Rift Valley, western Kenya, Nyanza and north-eastern Kenya to make up for the deficit caused by Mt Kenya walkout.

“We are likely to see mass voter registration intensified from March (next month). IEBC is under pressure to enlist new voters to counterbalance the Mt Kenya bloc. That is the reason Ethekon’s team is pushing for a new register,” the IBC source explains.

On Tuesday the commission announced it had reached an agreement with Marjan to terminate his services by mutual consent. The outgoing CEO tenure was to expire in March 2027 – five months to the election.

In a statement, Ethekon explained that the move brings to an end the Marjan’s tenure in IEBC and marks the beginning of the process of recruitment of a new CEO and secretary to the commission.

“IEBC will announce an interim replacement who will take over as Acting CEO/ CS in due course. This is in line with our commitment and resolve to ensure we have a seamless transition designed to maintain momentum in carrying forward the IIEBC constitutional mandates including conducting elections and boundaries delimitation among other important functions,” Ethekon said.

It is highly expected that Marjan’s deputy, Ms Ruth Kulundu, who has logged more than 10 years at the commission will be elevated to the sensitive seat.

The chair observed that as the current Marjan exits, they are embarking on critical reforms in the secretariat.

“We wish to assure Kenyans that any changes will be designed to ensure we achieve effective institutional preparedness, strengthen our internal accountability and results oriented systems, and leadership continuity,” he said. 

Ethekon explained that the IEBC sis very crucial in-service delivery on electoral management and related matters and it is the intention of the commission that it reflects the level of preparedness, passion and commitment to delivering credible, free and fair elections in Kenya.

“The commission takes opportunity to appreciate the work of Marjan who was a committed servant and offered his professional services and leadership to IEBC since March 2022 when he was appointed as CEO/CS. We particularly thank him for steering the commission secretariat during the period of absence of the commissioners until when the current commission was fully constituted on 11th July 2025. The commission wishes the former CEO/CS well in his future endeavours,” the IEBC statement said.

The chairperson assured Kenyans and stakeholders that the changes within its secretariat and management arrangements would not affect their ongoing activities including the conduct of the by-elections and preparedness for the 2027 General Elections.

“Instead, we believe the changes are meant to enhance effectiveness, efficiency, transparency and accountability of the Secretariat in service delivery to the people of Kenya,” said Ethekon.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Joseph Ng’ang’a