NAIROBI, Kenya- Six companies have submitted bids for an IEBC contract to supply and support the Integrated Electoral Management System, with prices read out at the opening ranging from Sh1.5 billion to Sh22.3 billion, according to the Democratic Party of Kenya.
Party leader Justin Muturi has urged the commission to evaluate the bids transparently and apply the published criteria equally, saying the tender’s opening prices should not be mistaken for the final ranking.
The procurement covers the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the IEMS, as well as related hardware and accessories.
The IEBC listed the tender, number IEBC/OIT/001A/2026-27, as closed on October 22.
In a letter dated October 22 to IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan, Muturi commended the commission for opening the bids publicly.
He said tenderers’ names and prices were read aloud and that no bidder was disqualified during the opening.
Whether a bid meets the requirements will be determined during evaluation.
The six bids were listed in ascending price order as follows:
- Greencom Enterprise Solutions: Sh1.5 billion
- Laxton: Sh10.3 billion
- China Hainergy New Energy Corp: Sh12.5 billion
- Miru: Sh14.3 billion
- Smartmatic: Sh19.3 billion
- Haitek Limited: Sh22.3 billion
Muturi stressed that the price order is not an evaluation ranking.
He said the successful tenderer should be selected only after the preliminary, technical and financial assessments set out in the tender documents.
The letter also asks the IEBC to publish the official tender-opening register.
Muturi said that would allow the public to refer to the formal record of bids received.
Muturi warns against direct procurement
Muturi cautioned against any move to use direct procurement if the competitive process faces further delays or challenges.
He said the six bids showed that several suppliers were competing to provide the system.
He argued that direct procurement should only be used where conditions set out in the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act are met, and should not be used simply to avoid competition.
These are recommendations made in the party leader’s letter; the IEBC has not announced any plan to switch to direct procurement.
The tender process has previously faced challenges before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
The IEBC re-advertised the procurement after the board directed it to amend the earlier tender documents.
Muturi said the commission had complied with the review board’s directions and that the latest opening had been conducted publicly.
He urged the IEBC to complete evaluation within the time allowed, keep written records of its decisions, notify all bidders of the outcome and observe the required standstill period before signing a contract.
The IEMS is intended to support election management ahead of the next General Election.
Muturi also urged the commission to keep the public informed as the evaluation progresses, saying confidence in election technology depends on a process that is open and fairly applied.
