Polls agency has begun the recruitment of a substantive chief executive officer and a deputy in line with its preparations for the 2022 general election.

This would be the second time the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission would be moving to have the post currently occupied by Hussein Marjan— in an acting capacity—filled substantively. 

Marjan has held the post in an acting capacity since April 2019. His rise started after he was appointed by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati as the October 2017 repeat presidential poll coordinator. 

“All applications to be submitted not later than close of business on January 21, 2022,” the notice inviting applications for the post reads.

There are concerns, however, among election stakeholders with the appointment of a CEO barely eight months before the election date.

Elections Observation Group raised concerns that the new officer could be in office as late as April, considering the lengthy recruitment process and the possibility of a court challenge.

ELOG national coordinator Mule Musau told the Star on Monday the late recruitment was a recipe for trouble at the commission, considering most commissioners are equally new.

“These are the kind of things that I get afraid of. A CEO is very influential in the implementation of the election project.”

Mule said recruitment can take more than 90 days since the commission will have to receive applications, shortlist, and vet the candidates.

“The process could end up taking long as there could be questions here and there. Political persuasions are likely to follow, with the push and pull factors likely to end up taking more than three months.”

Mule said by his projection, the CEO could be hired in March or end of February and “would be coming to find a disjointed commission in terms of experience.”

He added that the same would follow a number of senior positions that the commission has also advertised in the call for applications.

The commission seeks to recruit eight senior elections officers, Turkana county accountant, supply chain management assistant, and assistant election officers.

“We would have been much safer with a situation where the IEBC found a way of dealing with a status quo, especially on the post of CEO. Because of the strategic role the post has, IEBC would have found a way of allowing Marjan to continue serving to cover the elections and look for a new CEO after the elections,” Mule said. 

He warned that the new listing will invite political bickering, and court cases which will end up derailing the process.

“It is the usual story of late procurements, late appointments, late changes of law…these late overtures are increasing suspicion on the part of the commission. Elections are a political process where perception rules. If you create negative perceptions, we will all be suspicious irrespective of how good the intentions are,” Mule added.

But National Assembly Public Accounts chairman Opiyo Wandayi holds that the commission has to recruit a substantive CEO since “the general election is such a crucial exercise that an institution cannot manage without a substantive CEO.”

“However much competent the acting CEO is, we need a substantive one. It helps in building confidence among the public that the institution is properly constituted, efficiently operating,” the Ugunja MP said.

“When acting, you are always looking over your shoulder and want to carry favour with almost everyone as you want to be confirmed. This can impair professionalism, impartiality, and sense of judgement,” he added.

On concerns of late recruitment, Wandayi said, “There is institutional memory within the organisation. A CEO does not work in isolation but as a team leader or manager. He just provides strategic leadership.”

“There are technical and competent officers with massive institutional memory who will assist the CEO,” Wandayi said.

But Mule disagreed, saying a number of the senior positions are equally having new holders.

“We have three commissioners who have been there and have been fought by so many other people, new commissioners who are still learning the ropes and a new CEO. How different is this from our initial concerns that we don’t want to see late changes in laws, appointments? That becomes very suspicious in my view,” he said.

While acknowledging that the commission has made attempts to hire a substantive CEO, the ELOG coordinator says the status quo was better retained.

“IEBC has indeed tried to get a new CEO, in the wake of court cases challenging the process, but this is not going to be any different. There are people who will definitely go to court this time around," Mule said. -Edited by SKanyara, By Moses Odhiambo, The Star