NAIROBI, Kenya – Members of Parliament have approved sweeping changes to electoral law aimed at tightening integrity in the management of elections ahead of the 2027 General Election.
On Thursday, August 14, MPs passed the Election Offences (Amendment) (No.2) Bill, 2024, which expands the list of offences for Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials and introduces stiffer penalties for breaches.
The legislation, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, is rooted in recommendations by the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) following last year’s bipartisan talks.
Key provisions include fines of up to Ksh.2 million, jail terms of up to five years, or both, for IEBC staff who delay announcing results after polls close, knowingly alter declared results, tamper with election materials, or conduct elections in ungazetted polling stations. Any results from such stations would be invalidated.
The Bill also criminalizes publishing false statements about candidates or political parties, and places restrictions on the misuse of technology to influence voters.
“The Bill seeks to strengthen the legal framework governing election offences by addressing gaps that have eroded public trust and compromised the credibility of election outcomes,” MPs stated in a joint declaration.
The changes follow years of controversy over electoral malpractice, with lawmakers saying the reforms aim to ensure greater accountability, transparency, and public confidence in Kenya’s democratic processes.
