IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein found in contempt over Ksh.200M debt

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan has been found guilty of contempt of court for failing to settle a Ksh.200 million debt owed to advertising firm WPP Scangroup dating back to the 2017 General Election.

Justice Roselyne Aburili ruled that Marjan disobeyed a 2021 court order requiring the electoral commission to pay Scanad Africa — a subsidiary of WPP Scangroup — Ksh.245 million for strategic communication and media services provided ahead of the polls.

Despite acknowledging the debt and making a partial payment of Ksh.50 million in December 2023, the IEBC failed to allocate funds in its budget to clear the balance. The court found this omission deliberate and unjustified.

Justice Aburili ordered the IEBC boss to appear before her on September 30, 2025 for mitigation and possible sentencing.

“The applicant has proved to the required legal standard that the respondent is in contempt of court,” she said.

In his defense, Marjan said the commission had classified the sum as a pending bill and had sought direction and funding from the National Treasury.

However, the court noted that no evidence was presented to show concrete steps were taken to comply with the court order.