Former Attorney General Justin Muturi has said the Smartmatic contract used in Kenya’s election technology system has ended and should not be renewed or awarded again.

Speaking in Thika on Saturday, May 23, 2026, while accompanying Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Muturi said the first Smartmatic contract expired on May 21, 2026, and its future in Kenya’s electoral system remains unclear.

“Ile technology ya kampuni inaitwa Smartmatic kandarasi yake iliexpire tarehe 21 mwezi huu. Hiyo ilikuwa juzi, Thursday,” Muturi said.

He did not confirm whether the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) or the government had renewed or replaced the arrangement, but he questioned any move that could bring the company back into the electoral process.

Muturi said the opposition has taken a firm position that Smartmatic should not be re-engaged in any future election work in Kenya. He argued that the country must avoid repeating arrangements that have already raised political and public concern.

“We are saying these companies should not be allowed to do business in Kenya again,” he said.

Opposition position on Smartmatic and IEBC

Muturi’s remarks echoed earlier warnings from opposition leaders, who have for months pushed for the removal of Smartmatic from Kenya’s election system.

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has repeatedly accused the electoral body of ignoring stakeholder concerns and continuing to rely on foreign firms whose credibility they question.

Speaking in a previous interview on May 11, 2026, Kalonzo said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had failed to address opposition concerns over election technology and procurement.

“We have warned IEBC about Smartmatic. They should not be allowed to run or prepare elections in this country,” Kalonzo said.

He also claimed the company had faced scrutiny in other jurisdictions and said its involvement in Kenya risked undermining trust ahead of the 2027 elections.

Kalonzo further linked Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA, a Greek firm contracted to print ballot papers, to similar concerns. He said the firm’s role should be suspended until full transparency is provided.

“Another company, Inform Lykos from Greece, is printing ballot papers in Athens,” he said. “We are saying these companies must be made public and their role clarified.”

Muturi also raises concerns on Inform Lykos

In Thika, Muturi also questioned the continued involvement of Inform Lykos (Hellas) SA, which handles the printing of ballot papers and election materials used in Kenya.

He said the firm’s role should be reviewed, and argued that both Smartmatic and Inform Lykos should not be allowed to continue operating in Kenya’s election system.

“Na ile contract ya wale ambao wanaprint ballot papers. Kampuni amabayo imeshikwa hapa Kenya kwanza, ikisupply mambo ya Kenya National Examinations Council. Inaitwa Inform Lykos kutoka Greece,” Muturi said. “Those two companies should never be allowed to do business in Kenya kwa sababu they have been found to be fraudulent.”

Muturi said the opposition believes the two firms have raised enough concern to justify their removal from all election-related work.

Voter register and wider IEBC concerns

Muturi’s remarks also fit into a wider opposition campaign targeting the IEBC’s systems ahead of the 2027 General Election.

In earlier remarks in April 2026, Muturi raised concerns over the voter register, claiming that some voters had been transferred between constituencies without their knowledge.

Speaking in Tulia, Mwingi West, he gave an example involving his driver.

“My driver, Bernard Munene wa Gatama, was registered as a voter in 2012 at Kavengero Polling Station in Mbeere North. But upon checking today, we found that Bernard is now registered in Newsite Kiambere, Mbeere South. When did this happen?” he asked.

He warned that such cases could affect voter participation and confidence in the electoral process.

“Watu wanachukulia kura Nairobi wakiangalia wanaona kura zao ziko Mandera, Garissa ama West Pokot,” he said. “Hiyo ni njia moja ya kuhakikisha siku ya kupiga kura hawataweza kupiga kura.”

Muturi also questioned whether responsibility for such issues lies within the electoral secretariat rather than commissioners, suggesting internal weaknesses in the system.