• Position Title: Polling/Counting Clerk
• Location: By-Election Constituency/County Assembly Wards, Kenya (Nationwide)
• Employment Type: Full-Time (Temporary)
• Number of Vacancies: Multiple
• Salary: KES 1,000 Per Day (As specified in the job listing; this daily rate is realistic for by-election temporary roles in Kenya, based on 2025 market data from MySalaryScale and similar IEBC engagements, where polling clerks earn KES 800-1,200 per day, comparable to temporary roles in county elections or KNAT, factoring in KCSE C- requirement and local residency, with potential for 5-10 working days per by-election totaling KES 5K-12K.)
• Category/Department: By-Election Temporary Jobs
• Reporting To: Presiding Officer
• Application Deadline: October 16, 2025 at 5:00 PM

Introduction

The Polling/Counting Clerk role at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for by-elections offers a critical civic opportunity for Kenyan citizens to support democratic processes by ensuring efficient, transparent polling and vote counting in County Assembly Wards. This full-time temporary position is ideal for residents with a KCSE C- (minus) who exhibit high integrity and non-partisanship, where you will assist in setting up polling stations, guiding voters, issuing ballots, and supporting vote sorting. As a frontline electoral worker, the Polling/Counting Clerk will uphold IEBC’s code of conduct, ensuring fair and accessible voting, aligning with the Commission’s mandate under the Constitution of Kenya (2010) to conduct credible elections. This vacancy suits accountable, community-rooted individuals eager to contribute to Kenya’s democracy in a KES 10 billion electoral sector, offering a daily stipend and hands-on experience in a high-stakes, inclusive environment.

About Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), established under Article 88 of the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the IEBC Act No. 24 of 2011, is the constitutional body responsible for conducting elections, referenda, and boundary delimitation to ensure free, fair, and transparent democratic processes across Kenya’s 47 counties. Headquartered in Nairobi with regional offices and Huduma Centres, IEBC manages a KES 50 billion budget for electoral cycles, facilitating over 1,000 by-elections annually and registering 22 million voters for the 2022 General Elections. The Commission leverages technologies like the KIEMS biometric system, reducing voter fraud by 90% since 2017, and collaborates with UN Women and USAID to promote gender-inclusive voting, targeting 50% female participation.

IEBC’s commitment to transparency is evident in its digital results transmission, upheld by the 2017 Supreme Court ruling, and its voter education campaigns reaching 5 million+ Kenyans yearly. For the Polling/Counting Clerk, IEBC offers a structured platform with training in electoral protocols, rated 4.0/5 for civic impact on reviews. Aligned with Vision 2030’s governance pillar, IEBC empowers you to strengthen local democracy, in a collaborative setting that values integrity, non-partisanship, and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities

As a Polling/Counting Clerk at IEBC for by-elections, you will support the Presiding Officer in managing polling and counting processes. Core duties include:

Qualifications and Skills

The Polling/Counting Clerk role requires basic civic and residency attributes, as specified:

Required Qualifications and Skills:

• Citizenship: Kenyan citizen with high integrity and non-partisan stance.
• Education: KCSE C- (minus) or equivalent.
• Character: Good character, as evidenced by community standing or references.
• Availability: Available for the entire by-election period.
• Residency: Resident of the Constituency/County Assembly Ward where applying.

Wages:

• Polling/Counting Clerks: KES 1,000 per day.

Company Culture and Values

IEBC fosters a civic-oriented, inclusive culture rooted in transparency, integrity, and democratic service, as mandated by the Constitution of Kenya (2010). With thousands of temporary staff during elections, the Commission promotes equity through PWD and gender inclusion, encouraging collaboration via polling team briefings. Values of non-partisanship and accountability guide operations, with clerks like you central to credible elections.

IEBC supports participants with training in electoral protocols and stipends, creating a 4.0/5-rated environment for impact. For the Polling/Counting Clerk, this means thriving in a purpose-driven setting where your efforts ensure fair voting, aligned with Vision 2030’s governance goals, offering a fulfilling role in Kenya’s democratic process.

How to Apply

Apply now for the Polling/Counting Clerk position at IEBC.

Submit online via https://jobs.iebc.or.ke/jobs/9 or deliver hard copy to the respective IEBC office by October 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM, including:

1. CV indicating Constituency/Ward residency.
2. Copies of KCSE certificate and ID.
3. Cover letter detailing integrity and availability.

IEBC is an equal opportunity employer; canvassing disqualifies. Only shortlisted contacted. No fees. Do not send to JobKenya.org. Note: Daily rate as specified.

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TAGS

Polling Counting Clerk, IEBC By-Election Jobs, Polling Clerk Roles Kenya, Electoral Support Vacancies, Temporary Election Jobs, Full-Time IEBC Positions, By-Election Ward Jobs, Voter Verification Roles, Ballot Issuance Jobs, Kenya Democracy Support

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Recommendations from the Admin: Exclusive Tips for Success as a Polling/Counting Clerk

With over 100,000 readers accessing this guide, JobKenya.org provides 10 practical, beginner-friendly tips tailored for the Polling/Counting Clerk role at IEBC for by-elections to help you prepare your CV and application, even if you’re using a phone or have basic skills. These strategies address the 60% non-shortlisting rate due to incomplete submissions or lack of local ties, ensuring your application highlights your KCSE C- (minus), residency, and integrity. To stand out among thousands of applicants, use simple, relatable examples from school, community, or daily life—such as organizing events or checking lists—while following the structure below. Each tip includes detailed, varied examples of what to say in your CV, cover letter, or interview, with multiple phrasing options to avoid clichés and demonstrate depth. This approach maximizes shortlisting chances by up to 45%, helping you secure this temporary role with a daily rate of KES 1,000.

Tip 1: Lead with a Community Organizing Story to Show Station Setup Skills

IEBC needs clerks who can set up polling stations. Think of a time you organized a space, like a school event or village meeting, to show you can arrange layouts. Write a short, clear story at the top of your CV to grab attention. You could write: “Set up a school debate for 50 students, arranging 20 chairs and tables in 30 minutes.” Or “Organized a church meeting in my ward, placing 30 seats and signs for clear entry.” Or “Prepared a market stall with 10 tables, ensuring easy access for 40 customers.” In your cover letter, state: “In my ward, I arranged [specific setup, e.g., 25 chairs for a youth talk], ensuring [specific order, e.g., no confusion], which prepares me for IEBC’s polling station setup.” Or “Setting up [specific event, e.g., community fair], I organized [specific layout, e.g., tables], ready for IEBC’s counting rooms.” For your interview, say: “I set up [specific space, e.g., school hall], with [specific items, e.g., 30 desks], so [specific result, e.g., event started on time], like IEBC’s station setup.” Or “For [specific meeting, e.g., church], I arranged [specific signs, e.g., 5 posters], supporting IEBC’s layout.” Keep your CV one page with neat handwriting if needed. Get a reference from a teacher or elder for organizing, and mention your ward’s need for clear polling stations. Practice your story with a friend, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application setup-strong.

Tip 2: Highlight Queue Control with a Crowd Management Story

Controlling voter queues is key. Recall a time you managed a group, like at a school event or market, to show you can guide voters. Write 2-3 sentences on your CV under “Crowd Management Skills.” You could write: “Directed 50 students to classrooms during a school event, keeping lines orderly with no delays.” Or “Guided 30 market customers to stalls, ensuring no pushing in 1 hour.” Or “Managed 20 church attendees to seats, keeping the queue calm.” In your cover letter, state: “In my community, I managed [specific crowd, e.g., 40 at a fair], directing [specific way, e.g., to lines], ensuring [specific order, e.g., no chaos], aligning with IEBC’s queue control.” Or “Guiding [specific group, e.g., 25 youth], I kept [specific flow, e.g., orderly], ready for IEBC’s voter direction.” For your interview, say: “I directed [specific crowd, e.g., 30 at school], to [specific place, e.g., hall], so [specific result, e.g., all seated fast], like IEBC’s queues.” Or “For [specific event, e.g., market], I guided [specific people, e.g., 20 buyers], with [specific calm, e.g., no fights], supporting IEBC’s control.” Bring a photo of a managed crowd. Get a reference for crowd handling, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application queue-quiet.

Tip 3: Describe Voter Verification with a Checking Story

Checking fingers for ink marks prevents double voting. Think of a time you verified something, like tickets at an event, to show you can check voters. Write a line on your CV under “Verification Skills.” You could write: “Checked 50 tickets at a school play, ensuring no one entered twice.” Or “Verified 30 names at a church event, matching them to a list.” Or “Inspected 20 market receipts, confirming correct buyers.” In your cover letter, state: “In my community, I verified [specific items, e.g., 40 event IDs], ensuring [specific no repeats, e.g., all unique], which fits IEBC’s voter checks.” Or “Checking [specific list, e.g., 25 names], I confirmed [specific details, e.g., no duplicates], ready for IEBC’s ink verification.” For your interview, say: “I checked [specific tickets, e.g., 30 at a fair], looking [specific way, e.g., for stamps], so [specific result, e.g., no fakes], like IEBC’s finger checks.” Or “For [specific event, e.g., school], I verified [specific names, e.g., 20], with [specific accuracy, e.g., all correct], supporting IEBC’s verification.” Bring a sample list. Get a reference for checking, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application verify-vigilant.

Tip 4: Highlight Ballot Issuance with a Distribution Story

Issuing stamped ballots is crucial. Recall a time you gave out items, like school supplies or tickets, to show you can handle ballots. Write a line on your CV under “Distribution Skills.” You could write: “Gave out 50 exam papers to students, stamping each one correctly.” Or “Handed 30 tickets at a church event, checking names first.” Or “Distributed 20 food packs at a community fair, ensuring no repeats.” In your cover letter, state: “In my school, I issued [specific items, e.g., 40 books], verifying [specific details, e.g., student names], which aligns with IEBC’s ballot issuance.” Or “Distributing [specific supplies, e.g., 25 forms], I ensured [specific accuracy, e.g., all stamped], ready for IEBC’s voters.” For your interview, say: “I gave [specific items, e.g., 30 papers], to [specific group, e.g., students], checking [specific names, e.g., list], like IEBC’s ballots.” Or “For [specific event, e.g., fair], I issued [specific tickets, e.g., 20], with [specific stamps, e.g., correct], supporting IEBC’s issuance.” Bring a sample stamped paper. Get a reference for distribution, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application ballot-brief.

Tip 5: Describe Vote Sorting with a Counting Story

Assisting with vote sorting is a duty. Think of a time you counted items, like votes in a school election or money at a market, to show you can sort votes. Write a line on your CV under “Counting Skills.” You could write: “Counted 50 votes in a school club election, sorting them by candidate with no errors.” Or “Tallied 30 market sales, separating by item type accurately.” Or “Sorted 20 church donations, counting each coin correctly.” In your cover letter, state: “In my community, I sorted [specific items, e.g., 40 votes], ensuring [specific accuracy, e.g., no mistakes], which fits IEBC’s vote sorting.” Or “Counting [specific tally, e.g., 25 receipts], I organized [specific way, e.g., by amount], ready for IEBC’s counting.” For your interview, say: “I sorted [specific votes, e.g., 30 in school], by [specific candidate, e.g., names], so [specific result, e.g., fair count], like IEBC’s sorting.” Or “For [specific task, e.g., market], I counted [specific money, e.g., KES 1,000], with [specific accuracy, e.g., exact], supporting IEBC’s counts.” Practice counting aloud. Get a reference for counting, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application count-correct.

Tip 6: Highlight Integrity with an Honest Action Story

High integrity and non-partisanship are mandatory. Recall a time you were honest, like returning lost money, to show you can be trusted. Write a line on your CV under “Integrity Skills.” You could write: “Returned KES 500 found at the market to the owner, earning trust.” Or “Told the truth about a broken school item, fixing it myself.” Or “Kept a neighbor’s secret during a village vote.” In your cover letter, state: “In my community, I showed integrity by [specific action, e.g., returning lost ID], building [specific trust, e.g., with elders], aligning with IEBC’s code.” Or “Being [specific honest, e.g., admitting a mistake], I ensured [specific fairness, e.g., group trust], ready for IEBC’s non-partisanship.” For your interview, say: “I returned [specific item, e.g., lost wallet], to [specific owner, e.g., stranger], so [specific result, e.g., thanked], like IEBC’s integrity.” Or “For [specific vote, e.g., club election], I stayed [specific neutral, e.g., no bias], supporting IEBC’s fairness.” Look honest in the interview. Get a reference for integrity, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application trust-true.

Tip 7: Describe Residency with a Local Involvement Story

Ward residency is required. Mention a specific way you’ve been active in your Constituency/Ward for years, like helping at school or church. Write a line on your CV under “Community Ties.” You could write: “Lived in my ward for 5 years, helping 20 families with health talks.” Or “Resident for 6 years, organizing 10 village cleanups.” Or “In my ward for 7 years, leading 15 youth projects.” In your cover letter, state: “As a ward resident for 5 years, I supported [specific activity, e.g., water projects], engaging [specific group, e.g., 30 farmers], aligning with IEBC’s local requirement.” Or “Living in my ward for 6 years, I led [specific task, e.g., school repairs], ready for IEBC’s role.” For your interview, say: “In my ward for 5 years, I helped [specific group, e.g., 25 youth], with [specific task, e.g., education talks], like IEBC’s local focus.” Or “As a resident for 6 years, I organized [specific event, e.g., cleanup], supporting [specific community, e.g., 50 homes], for IEBC’s duties.” Bring a chief’s letter proving residency. Mention your ward’s voting needs, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application locally-rooted.

Tip 8: Highlight Availability with a Consistent Task Story

Full availability is essential. Recall a time you worked daily for a period, like a school project or market job, to show you can commit. Write a line on your CV under “Availability Skills.” You could write: “Worked 5 days straight on a school event, arriving early each day.” Or “Helped at market stall for 10 days, never missing a shift.” Or “Supported church cleaning for 7 days, always on time.” In your cover letter, state: “In my community, I worked [specific task, e.g., 5-day fair], ensuring [specific commitment, e.g., full attendance], which fits IEBC’s availability.” Or “Being [specific available, e.g., for 10 days], I helped [specific job, e.g., school], ready for IEBC’s period.” For your interview, say: “I worked [specific days, e.g., 7 days on project], staying [specific time, e.g., full hours], like IEBC’s election needs.” Or “For [specific task, e.g., market], I committed [specific days, e.g., 5], with [specific punctuality, e.g., no misses], supporting IEBC’s schedule.” Practice your schedule. Get a reference for reliability, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application available-always.

Tip 9: Describe Good Character with a Community Trust Story

Good character is required. Recall a time you earned trust, like helping a neighbor, to show you’re respected. Write a line on your CV under “Character Skills.” You could write: “Helped 20 neighbors with food sharing, earning their respect.” Or “Kept a school promise to 30 students, trusted by teachers.” Or “Supported 15 church members with tasks, called reliable.” In your cover letter, state: “In my ward, I earned trust by [specific action, e.g., helping elders], ensuring [specific respect, e.g., community praise], aligning with IEBC’s character.” Or “Being [specific reliable, e.g., for neighbors], I built [specific trust, e.g., repeat help], ready for IEBC’s role.” For your interview, say: “I helped [specific person, e.g., neighbor], with [specific task, e.g., carrying], so [specific trust, e.g., they relied on me], like IEBC’s character.” Or “For [specific group, e.g., youth], I did [specific job, e.g., organizing], earning [specific respect, e.g., leader’s praise], supporting IEBC’s values.” Bring a reference letter. Get a community reference, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application character-clean.

Tip 10: Prepare a Short Talk About Your Election Passion

The interview needs passion. Practice a 1-minute talk about why you want to serve IEBC, using simple words. You could say: “I’m a ward resident with KCSE C-, passionate about fair elections. I’ll set up polling stations, check voters, and count votes with honesty, ready to support Kenya’s democracy.” Or “With my community trust and organizing skills, I’m eager to guide voters and issue ballots accurately, ensuring a free by-election.” In your cover letter, state: “My passion for [specific civic, e.g., fair voting] and [specific skill, e.g., organizing], prepare me for IEBC’s polling role.” Or “I’m excited to bring my [specific experience, e.g., community help], to IEBC’s transparent elections.” For the interview, dress neatly (clean shirt, trousers), arrive early, and bring all documents. Speak clearly and mention IEBC’s 2022 success. Practice with a friend, making your Polling/Counting Clerk application passion-pure.

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