IEBC Appoints Interim Chief Executive Officer after Parting ways with Marjan Marjan
In a swift move to fill a sudden leadership vacuum, Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has appointed longtime insider Moses Ledama Sunkuli as its Acting Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary, effective immediately. The decision comes less than 48 hours after the exit of former CEO Marjan Hussein.
The announcement, made in a statement on Thursday, February 5, positions Sunkuli to steer the electoral body through a potentially turbulent interim period of at least six months, or until a substantive CEO is recruited.
Sunkuli is no stranger to the high-stakes world of Kenyan elections. Having served within the commission for nearly a decade, he brings a deep institutional memory to the role. Most notably, he was the returning officer in the critical run-up to the fiercely contested 2017 General Election—a baptism by fire that granted him firsthand experience with the immense pressures and logistical complexities of the electoral process.
Prior to this appointment, Sunkuli held the position of Director of Electoral Operations, making him intimately familiar with the mechanics of voting, from ballot distribution to tallying.
A Role with Clear Boundaries
However, his powers as Acting CEO will come with significant limits. The commission was careful to delineate his responsibilities. As the accounting officer, Sunkuli will manage the IEBC’s budget and be directly accountable for the use of public funds, including the high-cost procurement of election materials and logistics.
Yet, in a clear separation of powers, the policy-making authority and the crucial duty of declaring election results remain strictly reserved for the IEBC chairperson and commissioners. This clarification appears designed to maintain a check on executive influence over electoral outcomes.
First Major Test: February By-Elections
Sunkuli’s competence will face an almost immediate examination. One of his first major challenges is set for this month, as the IEBC oversees several by-elections for Member of County Assembly (MCA) positions. All eyes will be on his ability to seamlessly oversee election preparations and ensure a credible process.
Political Reception Remains Uncertain
Beyond the operational hurdles, a significant political question looms. Observers note that one of the biggest points of contention will be how the opposition, now led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, receives Sunkuli’s appointment. The opposition was fiercely critical of his predecessor, Marjan Hussein’s tenure, and it remains to be seen whether Sunkuli’s reputation as a career electoral technician will insulate him from similar scrutiny or if he will face immediate political headwinds.
In its statement, the IEBC reaffirmed its commitment to a “smooth transition,” emphasizing stability during this changeover. Whether Sunkuli can navigate the intricate balance of administrative duty, political sensitivity, and public trust will define his interim leadership and set the tone for the commission in the lead-up to Kenya’s next general election cycle.
