A public institution responsible for the administration of electoral processes is inviting applications from eligible and suitably qualified Kenyan citizens to serve in temporary positions during an upcoming by-election exercise. These roles are critical to the effective conduct of free, fair, and credible elections at the constituency and county assembly ward levels. The engagement is strictly temporary and will run for the entire duration of the by-election process, including polling and counting days.
The available opportunity is that of Polling/Counting Clerk, a role that supports the Presiding Officer and other election officials in the management of polling stations and counting centres. Individuals appointed to this position will play a direct role in ensuring that voting and counting procedures are conducted in accordance with established electoral laws, regulations, and operational guidelines. The position requires a high level of integrity, impartiality, discipline, and commitment, given the sensitive nature of electoral activities.
This job advertisement is intended for publication on a third-party job board and is structured to provide clear, comprehensive, and detailed information regarding the role, duties, requirements, terms of engagement, and application process. All information has been presented in a neutral and professional manner to assist potential applicants in making an informed decision before submitting their applications.
Department
The positions fall under the electoral operations function responsible for managing by-election activities. The department oversees polling station setup, voter identification processes, vote casting, counting, and the secure handling of election materials throughout the by-election period.
Job Type
By-Election Temporary Jobs
These positions are strictly temporary and are only available for the duration of the by-election exercise. Successful applicants must be available for the entire period as required by the electoral calendar, including training, polling day, counting, and any other related official activities.
Location
By-Elections
Successful applicants will be deployed within specific constituencies or county assembly wards where by-elections are scheduled. Applicants are expected to apply for positions within their area of residence, as local knowledge and availability are essential for the effective execution of duties.
Application Deadline
January 26, 2026 at 12:00 AM
All applications must be submitted on or before the stated deadline. Applications received after this date and time may not be considered.
Available Position
Polling/Counting Clerk
This section provides a detailed overview of the Polling/Counting Clerk position, including reporting lines, scope of work, and specific duties and responsibilities associated with the role.
Position Overview
The Polling/Counting Clerk is a temporary election official appointed to assist in the conduct of polling and counting activities during a by-election. The role involves working under the direct supervision of the Presiding Officer at an assigned polling station and, where applicable, at the counting centre. The Polling/Counting Clerk supports the orderly flow of voters, ensures compliance with voting procedures, assists in vote sorting during counting, and performs other assigned duties to facilitate a smooth and transparent electoral process.
This position requires individuals who can work effectively in a team, follow instructions accurately, and maintain professionalism under pressure. Given the public-facing nature of the role, Polling/Counting Clerks are expected to interact respectfully with voters, election officials, security personnel, and accredited observers.
Reporting Structure
The Polling/Counting Clerk reports directly to the Presiding Officer. The Presiding Officer provides overall leadership at the polling station and counting centre and assigns specific tasks to clerks as needed throughout the exercise. The Polling/Counting Clerk is required to follow all lawful instructions issued by the Presiding Officer and comply with established electoral procedures.
Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Presiding Officer, the Polling/Counting Clerk will be responsible for carrying out a wide range of operational duties before, during, and after polling and counting. These duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Assisting in the layout and preparation of the polling station and counting room prior to the commencement of polling. This includes arranging furniture, positioning ballot boxes, setting up voter identification areas, and ensuring that the station is organized in a manner that promotes efficiency, accessibility, and transparency.
Participating in the demarcation and display of official notices and posters at the polling station. This involves placing voter information materials, directional signage, and other authorized posters in designated locations to guide voters and provide essential information about the voting process.
Managing and controlling voter queues to ensure orderly movement within and around the polling station. The Polling/Counting Clerk is expected to guide voters to the appropriate areas, maintain order, and assist in preventing congestion, while ensuring that priority voters are accorded assistance in accordance with electoral guidelines.
Guiding voters to their respective polling stations or desks, particularly in locations where multiple streams or polling stations are operating within the same venue. This includes providing clear and accurate directions to minimize confusion and delays.
Confirming that a voter has not already voted by inspecting their fingers for the presence of indelible ink marks. This step is a critical safeguard against multiple voting and must be carried out carefully and consistently for each voter before they are allowed to proceed.
Assisting in the identification of voters before they are permitted to vote. This involves working alongside the Presiding Officer and other authorized officials to ensure that voters are properly identified in accordance with the register of voters and established procedures.
Issuing stamped ballot papers to voters who have been duly identified and confirmed as eligible to vote. The Polling/Counting Clerk must ensure that ballot papers are issued correctly, securely, and in a controlled manner to prevent errors or misuse.
Providing assistance to the Presiding Officer during the sorting of votes after the close of polling. As part of the counting process, the Polling/Counting Clerk may be required to help organize ballot papers, separate votes by category, and ensure that the counting environment remains orderly and transparent.
Supporting the Presiding Officer and other election officials during the vote counting process by performing assigned tasks that contribute to accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with electoral regulations. This may include arranging counted ballots, recording tallies as directed, or managing materials within the counting area.
Maintaining the cleanliness, organization, and security of the polling station and counting room throughout the exercise. This includes ensuring that election materials are handled responsibly and that unauthorized persons do not interfere with official activities.
Performing any other official duties as may be assigned by the Presiding Officer in the course of the polling and counting exercise. Given the dynamic nature of election operations, Polling/Counting Clerks must be flexible and ready to undertake additional responsibilities as required.
Job Requirements
Requirements for Appointment
Applicants for the Polling/Counting Clerk position must meet the following requirements for appointment. These requirements are intended to ensure that individuals selected for the role are capable of performing their duties effectively and uphold the integrity of the electoral process.
Applicants must be Kenyan citizens of high integrity and must be non-partisan. Individuals are expected to remain neutral and impartial throughout the by-election exercise and must not engage in any activities that could compromise the credibility of the process.
Applicants must have attained a KCSE aggregate grade of C- or above. This requirement ensures that individuals have a basic level of education necessary to understand instructions, complete assigned tasks accurately, and communicate effectively with voters and fellow officials.
Applicants must be of good character. Those selected for appointment are expected to demonstrate honesty, discipline, respect for others, and adherence to the rule of law while performing their duties.
Applicants must be available for the entire period of the by-election exercise. This includes any mandatory training sessions, the polling day, counting activities, and any other related duties as may be scheduled.
Applicants must be residents of the constituency or county assembly ward in which they apply. Local residency is important for logistical purposes and helps ensure that appointed individuals are familiar with the area and readily available throughout the exercise.
Terms of Engagement
The Polling/Counting Clerk position is offered on a temporary basis for the duration of the by-election exercise only. Appointment to this role does not constitute permanent or pensionable employment. Successful applicants will be engaged strictly for the specified period and will be required to adhere to all terms and conditions governing temporary election staff.
Polling/Counting Clerks will be required to attend any pre-election training sessions organized by the appointing authority. Attendance at such training is mandatory and forms part of the overall engagement.
Remuneration
Polling/Counting Clerks appointed for the by-election exercise will be paid a daily wage of Kshs. 1,000 per day. Payment will be made in accordance with established procedures upon successful completion of assigned duties during the exercise.
Applicants should note that remuneration is based on actual days worked and is subject to compliance with all assigned responsibilities and reporting requirements.
Additional Information
The appointing authority reserves the right to deploy Polling/Counting Clerks to any polling station or counting centre within the area applied for, based on operational needs. Appointment letters and deployment details will be communicated to successful applicants in due course.
Only shortlisted applicants may be contacted. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee selection, as the number of positions available may be limited and subject to operational considerations.
Individuals appointed as Polling/Counting Clerks are expected to conduct themselves professionally at all times and to comply with all electoral laws, regulations, and codes of conduct applicable to temporary election officials.
Application Process
Interested and eligible candidates are invited to submit their applications for consideration before the stated deadline. Applicants are advised to ensure that all required information is provided accurately and that applications are submitted within the specified timeframe.
