The Online Kenyan Logo

The Online Kenyan

HomeTop StoriesLive TVVideosPoliticsBusinessSportsTechEntertainment
HomeTop StoriesLive TVVideos
PoliticsBusinessSportsTechEntertainment

Footer

The Online Kenyan Logo

The Online Kenyan

News & Breaking Headlines

news@theonlinekenyan.com
+254 758 277 017

Follow Us

Explore

DailiesWeekliesTopicsVideosHow to file 2024 KRA Returns

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • AI Content Policy

© 2026 The OK Company. All rights reserved.

Made within Kenya
HomeDaily NewsThursday, February 5, 2026Hussein Marjan Exits as IEBC CEO Amidst Controversy and Scrutiny of Smartmatic Contract - February 2026
Kenya Politics & Government7 stories from 2 sources

Hussein Marjan Exits as IEBC CEO Amidst Controversy and Scrutiny of Smartmatic Contract - February 2026

Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has left the agency after more than a decade of service. His departure, described as a “termination by mutual consent,” marks the third consecutive CEO to leave the position prematurely, less than two years before the 2027 elections. The exit is reportedly surrounded by controversy and has raised questions about the IEBC's credibility. This development comes amidst ongoing scrutiny over a controversial contract with voting technology provider Smartmatic. In connection with this, the IEBC announced it has not extended Smartmatic's contract. IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan's exit was "in the best interest of the nation" but did not confirm if it was linked to the KIEMS kits contract.

Listen to this coverage4 min

Read aloud by your device

SStandard PoliticsNNation PoliticsFirst

News Coverage

Thursday 12:20 PMStandard Politics

Marjan's exit: Inside IEBC's credibility test

Marjan's exit: Inside IEBC's credibility test

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced it has not extended the controversial contract for voting technology provider Smartmatic. This development comes as questions surround the recent resignation of Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan.

Read Story

Key Highlights

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced it has not extended the controversial contract for voting technology provider Smartmatic. This development comes as questions surround the recent resignation of Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan.

  • The IEBC and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) partnered to mobilize voters on February 4, 2026.
  • IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan's resignation was in the nation's best interest.
  • Ethekon did not confirm if Marjan's exit was related to the contract for Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits.
Thursday 12:00 AMStandard Politics

Like his rise, controversy pushes Marjan out of IEBC

Like his rise, controversy pushes Marjan out of IEBC

After over a decade of service, Hussein Marjan's tenure at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has drawn to a close amidst controversy. Having served as Deputy Commission Secretary since March 2015, his departure marks the end of a long career at the electoral body.

Read Story

Key Highlights

After over a decade of service, Hussein Marjan's tenure at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has drawn to a close amidst controversy. Having served as Deputy Commission Secretary since March 2015, his departure marks the end of a long career at the electoral body.

  • Hussein Marjan was the longest-serving senior official in the electoral agency’s history.
  • He joined the IEBC in March 2015 as Deputy Commission Secretary in charge of Support Services.
  • Marjan, an accounting and audit expert, was responsible for administrative, financial, and logistical functions.
Thursday 12:00 AMStandard Politics

IEBC faces big credibility test amid changes at the top

IEBC faces big credibility test amid changes at the top

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing a significant credibility challenge amidst leadership changes and questions surrounding a controversial technology contract. The commission has denied extending Smartmatic's contract for election technology.

Read Story

Key Highlights

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing a significant credibility challenge amidst leadership changes and questions surrounding a controversial technology contract. The commission has denied extending Smartmatic's contract for election technology.

  • The IEBC's Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated that CEO Hussein Marjan's resignation was in the nation's best interest.
  • The IEBC and the Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) announced a partnership to mobilize voters on February 4, 2026.
  • The contract for Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS) kits remains a point of contention.
Thursday 8:00 AMStandard Politics

This man Marjan: Like his rise, controversy haunds him out of IEBC

This man Marjan: Like his rise, controversy haunds him out of IEBC

After a tenure of over a decade, Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is leaving the organization. His departure follows a career marked by both his rise through the ranks and accompanying controversies.

Read Story

Key Highlights

After a tenure of over a decade, Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is leaving the organization. His departure follows a career marked by both his rise through the ranks and accompanying controversies.

  • Marjan joined the IEBC in March 2015 as the Deputy Commission Secretary overseeing support services.
  • He was responsible for administrative, financial, and logistical functions within the Secretariat.
  • Marjan is an accounting and audit expert.
Thursday 8:00 AMStandard Politics

Marjan's exit exposes credibility test for IEBC

Marjan's exit exposes credibility test for IEBC

The IEBC faces credibility questions following the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan, amidst ongoing scrutiny over a controversial contract with voting technology provider Smartmatic. The IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan's exit was "in the best interest of the nation" but declined to confirm if it was linked to the KIEMS kits contract.

Read Story

Key Highlights

The IEBC faces credibility questions following the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan, amidst ongoing scrutiny over a controversial contract with voting technology provider Smartmatic. The IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan's exit was "in the best interest of the nation" but declined to confirm if it was linked to the KIEMS kits contract.

  • The IEBC and Evangelical Alliance of Kenya (EAK) announced a partnership to mobilize voters on February 4, 2026.
  • IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon asserted that the contract with Smartmatic for voting technology has not been extended.
  • The resignation of Chief Executive Officer Hussein Marjan is a central point of contention and discussion within the commission.
Thursday 12:40 PMStandard Politics

As he rose, controversy hounds Marjan out of IEBC

As he rose, controversy hounds Marjan out of IEBC

Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has left the agency after more than a decade, with his departure reportedly surrounded by controversy. He initially joined the commission in March 2015.

Read Story

Key Highlights

Hussein Marjan, the longest-serving senior official at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has left the agency after more than a decade, with his departure reportedly surrounded by controversy. He initially joined the commission in March 2015.

  • Marjan served at IEBC for over 10 years, making him the agency's longest-serving senior official.
  • He started as Deputy Commission Secretary overseeing Support Services, responsible for administrative, financial, and logistical functions.
  • Marjan is an accounting and audit expert, highlighting his background before joining the electoral body.
Wednesday 7:33 PMNation PoliticsFirst

The sudden exit of Marjan and the perilous nature of lucrative IEBC CEO position

The sudden exit of Marjan and the perilous nature of lucrative IEBC CEO position

The IEBC is facing a leadership crisis following the sudden exit of chief executive officer Hussein Marjan, less than two years before the 2027 elections. His departure, described as “termination by mutual consent,” marks the third consecutive CEO to leave the position prematurely, highlighting the instability within the commission.

Read Story
Advertisement

More from Thursday, February 5, 2026

Authorities Issue Warnings on Foreign Recruitment, IPOs, and Call Recordings - February 2026
Breaking News & Top Stories4 stories

Authorities Issue Warnings on Foreign Recruitment, IPOs, and Call Recordings - February 2026

K
Kenyans
Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) Due to Resource Shortages - February 2026
Video News5 stories

Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) Due to Resource Shortages - February 2026

N
NTV Kenya (Youtube)
Developments in AI Integration and Mobile Technology in Kenya and Globally - February 2026
Technology & Innovation3 stories

Developments in AI Integration and Mobile Technology in Kenya and Globally - February 2026

T
T
Tech Arena, Techish Kenya
Advertisement

More Stories

Authorities Issue Warnings on Foreign Recruitment, IPOs, and Call Recordings - February 2026
Breaking News & Top Stories4 stories

Authorities Issue Warnings on Foreign Recruitment, IPOs, and Call Recordings - February 2026

K
Kenyans
Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) Due to Resource Shortages - February 2026
Video News5 stories

Challenges in Implementing Competency-Based Curriculum (CBE) Due to Resource Shortages - February 2026

N
NTV Kenya (Youtube)
Developments in AI Integration and Mobile Technology in Kenya and Globally - February 2026
Technology & Innovation3 stories

Developments in AI Integration and Mobile Technology in Kenya and Globally - February 2026

T
T
Tech Arena, Techish Kenya
Advertisement

Key Highlights

The IEBC is facing a leadership crisis following the sudden exit of chief executive officer Hussein Marjan, less than two years before the 2027 elections. His departure, described as “termination by mutual consent,” marks the third consecutive CEO to leave the position prematurely, highlighting the instability within the commission.

  • Hussein Marjan is the third IEBC chief executive to leave before the end of their contract.
  • The CEO role has been a revolving door, with Ezra Chiloba and James Oswago also exiting under controversial circumstances.
  • Past departures, including those of Chiloba and Oswago, have been linked to conflicts over lucrative tender procurements, some involving billions of shillings.
  • Wiper Patriotic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had previously advocated for Marjan’s removal, citing concerns about the integrity of the 2027 elections.