Written by Were Kelly
Nairobi, Kenya – June 11, 2025 – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan was found guilty of contempt of court for failing to settle a Sh200 million debt to advertising giant WPP Scangroup.
The debt stems from services provided during the 2017 general elections, when Scangroup’s subsidiary, Scanad Africa, coordinated strategic communications and media campaigns for IEBC.
Judge Roselyne Aburili ruled on Wednesday that Marjan had not obeyed a court order in 2021, in which IEBC was obliged to pay 245 million Sh to the company.
Although the Commission made a partial payment of Sh50 million in December 2023, it failed to budget or clear the remaining amount.
“The applicant has shown, according to the required legal standard, that the complainant is in contempt of court,” said Judge Aburili.
She ordered Marjan to appear before the court on 30 September for a hearing on mitigation and possible convictions.
In his defence, Marjan said the Commission had listed the amount as a pending bill and had contacted the National Treasury for guidance and funds.
However, the judge pointed out that no concrete evidence was provided to show that serious efforts had been made to comply with the order.
