NAIROBI, Kenya- Democratic Party Leader Justin Muturi has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of contributing to delays in preparations for the 2027 General Election, warning that the commission’s internal decisions could undermine the country’s readiness for the polls.
In a press statement issued on Wednesday, November 4, under the United Alternative Government banner, Muturi questioned the commission’s decision to blame court cases over election technology procurement for potential disruptions to its preparations.
While acknowledging that litigation could slow down procurement processes, Muturi argued that the IEBC must also take responsibility for its own administrative decisions and alleged failure to meet critical electoral timelines.
He maintained that the commission’s conduct was raising concerns about its preparedness to deliver a credible election, insisting that Kenyans deserved an electoral body willing to take responsibility rather than shift blame to the courts.
The former Attorney General further questioned the absence of key IEBC officials, including the Chief Executive Officer and Head of Procurement, whom he said were out of the country on official missions at a critical stage of the election technology procurement process.
According to Muturi, the two officers play central roles in the award of the election technology tender, making their absence particularly concerning given the limited time remaining before the 2027 General Election.
He also alleged that the tender evaluation process had been put on hold to allow members of the evaluation committee to travel outside the country.
Muturi described the development as regrettable, arguing that the commission could not simultaneously urge courts to expedite cases affecting the procurement process while allowing its own internal activities to stall.
“The Commission cannot, on the one hand, plead with the courts to speed up cases, and on the other hand, freeze its own processes for foreign travel,” he stated.
Muturi Raises Concerns Over Election Tender Costs
Beyond the delays, the Democratic Party leader renewed concerns over the cost of procuring election technology, warning against the possibility of taxpayers bearing inflated costs.
He maintained that bidders with established reputations had submitted bids falling within the budgetary allocation contained in the approved procurement plan.
Muturi warned that awarding the tender at a higher cost despite the availability of compliant and responsive bids within the approved budget would raise questions about the management of public resources.
He said the United Alternative Government would demand accountability if the procurement process resulted in unnecessary expenditure.
Calls for Immediate Action
The political leader called on the IEBC to immediately recall all officers involved in the election technology procurement process and resume the tender evaluation without further delays.
He further urged the commission to ensure that the procurement process was conducted transparently, fairly and in accordance with the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015.
Muturi’s intervention comes amid concerns surrounding the timelines for procuring election technology ahead of the August 2027 General Election, with the IEBC facing pressure to complete critical preparations within the statutory electoral calendar.
The commission’s election technology procurement is a crucial component of preparations for the next polls, given the role of technology in voter identification, electronic transmission of results and the overall management of elections.
Muturi maintained that the responsibility of delivering a credible election rested with the commission and warned that those entrusted with overseeing the process would ultimately be held accountable for their decisions.
