United Opposition raises credibility concerns in meeting with IEBC

The United Opposition on Wednesday evening held talks with officials of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), raising serious concerns over the credibility and independence of the electoral body ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking after the meeting, opposition leaders said the Commission was increasingly viewed by the public as being aligned to President William Ruto’s administration, a perception they warned could undermine confidence in future elections.

“The IEBC, in its current form, is widely perceived as a William Ruto commission. This is not just the view of the opposition but a growing national sentiment,” said Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who addressed the media on behalf of the United Opposition.

The opposition also questioned the ongoing procurement process for the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits, expressing strong objections to the possible involvement of Smartmatic, a firm that has previously been linked to disputed elections in other countries.

Musyoka said the coalition had made it clear to the Commission that Smartmatic should not be involved in any aspect of Kenya’s electoral systems for the 2027 polls.

In addition, the opposition raised concerns over the continued tenure of IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan, citing a lack of confidence in his leadership and warning that his stay in office was eroding public trust in the Commission.

The leaders called on the IEBC to take decisive steps to restore confidence, including ensuring transparency, accountability and independence in its operations.

The IEBC officials, however, did not immediately issue a response to the claims raised by the opposition.

The meeting comes amid heightened political activity as parties begin early preparations for the 2027 General Election, with electoral reforms and the credibility of the IEBC emerging as key points of contention.