NAIROBI — Former Chairperson of Kenya’s Public Service Commission (PSC) and former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Mohamed Abdullahi Sharawe has died, bringing to an end a distinguished career spanning public administration, electoral reforms, engineering, and national development.
Sharawe was widely remembered as a veteran public servant who played a role in strengthening Kenya’s government institutions and supporting reforms during key moments in the country’s political history.
News of his death triggered tributes from political leaders, government institutions, and former colleagues, who described him as a committed professional known for integrity, discipline, and dedication to public service.
Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan paid tribute to Sharawe, describing him as a respected statesman, engineer, and community elder whose contribution to Kenya extended beyond his official positions.
Sharawe served as Chairperson of the Public Service Commission from 1999 to 2005, a period that included one of Kenya’s most significant political transitions. During his tenure, the country experienced the historic 2002 general election, which resulted in the first peaceful transfer of presidential power between political parties since independence.
The Public Service Commission described his leadership as professional and focused on maintaining efficiency, stability, and accountability within Kenya’s public sector.
Following his PSC leadership, Sharawe continued contributing to Kenya’s governance reforms, particularly in the electoral field. He served as a commissioner with the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC), which was established to review electoral boundaries and recommend reforms ahead of Kenya’s constitutional changes.
He later became one of the first commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after the adoption of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. The commission was tasked with overseeing elections, voter registration, boundary delimitation, and strengthening public confidence in the electoral process.
Beyond government administration and electoral work, Sharawe also contributed to social and national dialogue initiatives. Former President Mwai Kibaki appointed him to chair the Presidential Committee on Muslim Concerns, where he led consultations on issues affecting Kenya’s Muslim community and promoted engagement between citizens and government institutions.
Throughout his career, Sharawe was also recognized for his background as an engineer and his involvement in Kenya’s development and infrastructure sectors before moving into senior public leadership roles.
His passing has been described by colleagues and officials as a major loss to Kenya’s public service, with many highlighting his role in shaping government institutions during periods of significant national change.
Details regarding his cause of death and funeral arrangements had not been officially released at the time of reporting.
