GARISSA, Kenya — Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ignore political pressure and concentrate on preparing for a free, fair and credible 2027 General Election.
Duale called on IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon and other commissioners to remain focused on the electoral body’s constitutional mandate amid growing debate over its preparedness for the next election.
Speaking during a wedding ceremony in Garissa, Duale said the stability of the country and the protection of Kenya’s democratic institutions would depend heavily on how the commission prepares for the poll.
“The stability and security of the country is in your hands. The democratic values of our country are in your hands in how you prepare for the next general election,” he said.
Duale urges IEBC to resist political pressure
Duale asked Ethekon to remain focused on the commission’s responsibilities and avoid being distracted by political debates surrounding the 2027 elections.
The Health CS said the commission should prioritise preparations for the election rather than political criticism or pressure from competing political interests.
His remarks come as political parties and leaders increasingly scrutinise IEBC’s readiness, particularly its plans for electoral technology, procurement and other systems required to administer the vote.
The commission is expected to oversee one of Kenya’s most consequential electoral exercises in 2027, placing significant pressure on its leadership to demonstrate independence, preparedness and credibility.
Warning over electoral technology tenders
Duale also placed particular emphasis on procurement, urging IEBC to ensure that all tenders related to electoral technology and other preparations comply fully with public finance and procurement laws.
He warned against shortcuts or irregularities in the procurement process, saying every decision involving public resources must be transparent and accountable.
“All the tenders must be done in accordance with the PFM Act. You must know the weight of your office. Do not play around with the stability of our country,” Duale said.
The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act provides part of the legal framework governing the management and accountability of public funds.
Duale’s comments therefore put procurement at the centre of the commission’s preparations, particularly as IEBC undertakes major purchases and technology-related projects ahead of the election.
Transparency key to public confidence
The CS said electoral procurement processes should uphold transparency, fairness and accountability from the tendering stage through to implementation.
He cautioned the commission against engaging in shortcuts or dealings that could undermine confidence in the electoral process.
The warning is significant because electoral technology has increasingly become a major component of Kenya’s elections, from voter registration and identification to results management and other election-management systems.
Any procurement dispute or questions over the fairness of tender processes could therefore have implications beyond the contracts themselves and affect public confidence in the eventual election.
IEBC faces scrutiny ahead of 2027
The commission has come under increasing political scrutiny as preparations for the 2027 General Election gather pace.
Political actors have raised questions about IEBC’s preparedness, including the procurement and deployment of electoral technology.
The debate comes as the commission works to establish the systems, infrastructure and personnel required to conduct the election.
For IEBC, the challenge is to demonstrate that its preparations are both technically sound and procedurally transparent while maintaining independence from political interests.
Duale’s remarks reflect the wider pressure on the electoral body to deliver an election that is accepted as credible by competing political sides and the public.
A test of IEBC’s independence
The CS’s appeal also highlights the delicate balance IEBC must maintain as it prepares for the 2027 poll.
The commission is constitutionally mandated to conduct elections independently, while operating within Kenya’s public finance and procurement laws.
Its leadership must therefore navigate political scrutiny without allowing partisan pressure to compromise its decision-making.
At the same time, transparency in procurement is essential to demonstrate that public funds are being used properly and that companies competing for electoral contracts are treated fairly.
Duale’s warning effectively places two demands on the commission: resist political noise while ensuring that every procurement process can withstand public and legal scrutiny.
