The Office of the Ombudsman has been thrown into fresh leadership transition after Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Mercy Wambua officially resigned, the Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ) has confirmed.
In a statement released on Friday, CAJ Chairperson Charles Dulo announced that the commission received Wambua’s resignation on January 27, 2026, marking the end of her tenure at one of Kenya’s most critical accountability institutions.
“The Commission on Administrative Justice wishes to inform the public that its Commission Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Mercy Wambua, tendered her resignation,” the statement read.
Dulo revealed that the matter was formally deliberated during the commission’s 80th sitting, where members approved the resignation in line with the law and internal human resource policies.
“The Commission considered and accepted the resignation in accordance with the law and the Commission’s Human Resource policies,” he added.
The departure creates a leadership vacuum at the watchdog agency tasked with investigating maladministration, abuse of office, and public service failures.
To prevent operational disruption, the commission said it has already initiated the recruitment process for a new Commission Secretary and CEO.
According to CAJ, the appointment will strictly follow the Constitution, the Commission on Administrative Justice Act, and public service regulations, underscoring its commitment to transparency and institutional continuity.
“The Commission remains committed to serving the public with integrity, transparency, and accountability,” the statement noted, adding that Kenyans will be updated as the recruitment process progresses.
Wambua’s resignation comes against the backdrop of previous internal turbulence, after the Office of the Ombudsman had earlier suspended its CEO and senior officials—raising questions about governance challenges within the institution.
While the commission did not disclose the reasons behind her exit, the timing has already sparked public debate on accountability at constitutional commissions.
Wambua’s resignation comes just days after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) confirmed the exit of its CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, signaling a broader wave of leadership changes at key independent bodies.
IEBC described Marjan’s departure as a mutual separation, part of a restructuring effort aimed at strengthening efficiency and accountability within its secretariat.
What Next for the Ombudsman?
As the recruitment clock starts ticking, all eyes are now on how quickly the Ombudsman’s office will stabilize leadership and reassure the public of its ability to effectively execute its mandate.
For an institution charged with holding others to account, the transition will be closely watched—both by Kenyans and the wider governance community.