The man who rose from the shadows of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to its highest administrative office has left as he came—amidst a storm. Marjan Hussein Marjan, the CEO who steered the 2022 polls, has exited via "mutual consent," becoming the latest casualty in a seat that has become a graveyard for careers.

Marjan’s departure is not just a resignation; it is a culmination of intense political pressure and internal strife. Having joined the commission in 2015 and risen to the top job in 2022, he was the last man standing from the team that oversaw the last general election. His exit, coming less than two years to the 2027 polls, signals a deep rupture within the electoral body’s secretariat.

The Curse of the Corner Office

The CEO’s office at Anniversary Towers seems to possess a revolving door greased by scandal and political vendetta. Marjan follows in the footsteps of Ezra Chiloba and James Oswago, both of whom were hounded out of office under clouds of procurement controversies. For Marjan, the writing has been on the wall since the United Opposition, led by Kalonzo Musyoka, demanded his removal as a precondition for free and fair elections in 2027.

"Mr. Marjan cannot be trusted to preside over the 2027 General Election," Musyoka declared recently, cementing the opposition's stance. This lack of cross-party trust made his continued tenure untenable, turning him into a lightning rod for criticism rather than an administrator of justice.

Procurement Wars and Integrity

At the heart of Marjan’s troubles were the lucrative, high-stakes tenders that define Kenyan elections. He faced accusations regarding the procurement of election materials and the management of the Smartmatic contract. Critics pointed to the Sh1.39 billion payment for devices without proper inspection as a smoking gun, echoing the "Chickengate" scandals of the past.

• The Face Technologies Saga: Marjan was dogged by allegations of improperly conferring benefits to suppliers, a charge that haunted his predecessor.
• The Al-Ghurair Shadow: The ghost of the Dubai-based ballot printers continued to loom over his administration, with questions raised about the integrity of the supply chain he oversaw.

A Quiet Exit for a Loud Tenure

Unlike the dramatic suspensions of his predecessors, Marjan’s exit was framed as a "mutual agreement"—a diplomatic euphemism for a forced hand. He leaves behind a fractured secretariat and an emboldened opposition who see his removal as the first victory in the battle for 2027. As he packs his bags, the question remains: was he the problem, or is the system designed to consume its own keepers?