NAIROBI — Opposition leader Eugene Wamalwa has rejected the extension of a contract involving Smartmatic International Holding B.V., the technology firm contracted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to supply Kenya’s election management systems, saying the move could jeopardise the credibility of future elections.
Smartmatic, a multinational company that builds and implements electronic voting and election technology, was contracted by IEBC in November 2021 to supply the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits used in both the 2017 and 2022 general elections.
The agreement covered the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the system.
However, Wamalwa alleges that the extension of Smartmatic’s contract was carried out illegally and has expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the firm’s involvement.
“We reject Smartmatic International,” Wamalwa said.
He warned that the continued reliance on the Venezuelan‑linked company could create opportunities for election manipulation, undermining public trust.
“We want to be told who the local partner of this company is. Ruto is insulting us because he knows what he has planned,” former Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi said.
Smartmatic’s technology and involvement in elections globally have been controversial in several countries, with critics questioning its susceptibility to tampering and lack of full local oversight.
In Kenya, the company’s role drew scrutiny during the 2022 polls, including debates over procurement transparency and the visibility of election technology to domestic stakeholders.
In addition, electoral technology and the transparency of vote tallying systems have been subjects of heightened debate, with election observers and opposition figures calling for greater clarity and reforms ahead of the 2027 general election.
The IEBC has maintained that its contract with Smartmatic was awarded following due process and upheld through multiple legal challenges, including at the High Court and Court of Appeal.
Wamalwa’s remarks signal intensifying political pressure on the electoral commission as Kenyans prepare for future polls, with calls for strengthened safeguards to protect electoral credibility.
