MP Demands Review Of KIEMS Kits Before IEBC Allocates Billions For New Ones

A legislator has called for an assessment of the 45,000 existing Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) considers purchasing new ones in its budget.

Chairperson of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, Tharaka MP George Murugara, said he has directed the IEBC to submit an expert report within three months detailing the usability and salvage value of the current KIEMS kits.

The electoral commission has requested Sh6.7 billion for the replacement of KIEMS kits, as part of its overall Sh61.7 billion budget for the 2027 General Election.

Appearing before Parliament last month, IEBC Deputy CEO Obadiah Keitany stated that the commission requires Sh7 billion for boundary delimitation but is awaiting a court advisory on the matter. He added that the commission projects an additional 5.7 million new voters, bringing the total to 28 million by 2027.

IEBC further revealed that 14 pending by-elections are expected to cost approximately Sh480 million.

The electoral body said that out of the 45,352 KIEMS kits currently in use, only 14,000 were purchased in 2022. The remaining kits need replacement ahead of the next election.

“There will be a total replacement of 45,352 KIEMS kits, except for the 14,000 bought in 2022. In total, 59,352 kits are required,” said IEBC Finance Director Osman Ibrahim.

Ibrahim explained that KIEMS kits become obsolete after 10 years, with the cost of replacing them estimated at Sh7 billion, based on a unit cost of Sh65,000.

IEBC has not registered new voters since 2022, citing a lack of both budget and commissioners. The commission has remained unconstituted since the last batch of commissioners exited in 2023. A selection panel is currently in the process of recruiting a new chairperson and commissioners.

Kenya’s 2022 General Election, which had 22,120,258 registered voters, was one of the most expensive in the world, costing Sh44.6 billion.