Ndegwa Njiru questions credibility of electronic voting
By Kiprono Keileb, February 5, 2026Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru has raised fresh concerns over the credibility of electronic voting in Kenya, questioning whether the system has truly delivered transparent and verifiable elections.
His remarks touch on the country’s electoral process and the debate around technology in voting, an issue that continues to shape public trust in elections.
The statement was shared on his X account on Thursday, February 5, 2026, as discussions around electoral reforms and the future of Kenya’s voting systems continue ahead of the next election cycle.
Njiru questioned the confidence and regular use placed in electronic voting systems.
“What is so fascinating about the electronic elections?” Ndegwa Njiru asked.
He then challenged the belief that technology automatically guarantees credible results.
“Can we justifably say that electronic elections are the only ones that are secure, fair, free, and verifiable?” he asked.
Njiru also raised concerns about the dismissal of traditional voting methods.
“What is wrong with a manual election process?” he asked.
He went on to question the reasoning behind adopting a mixed voting system.
“What was the justification for saying that we must go partially electronic?” he asked.
Njiru concluded by reflecting on past elections and whether the system has consistently reflected the public’s choice.
“After three subsequent elections, can we say that electronic voting has always yielded the will of the people?” part of Njiru’s statement on X reads.
Ndegwa Njiru drags Marjan into Smartmatic contract extension deal
Njiru called for the revocation of the contract between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Smartmatic company. Njiru has noted that the former CEO, Marjan Hussein Marjan, was behind the unlawful extension of the contract with the firm.
Njiru confirmed that during a meeting between the IEBC and the united opposition, the principals of the opposition were candid in proposing that the contract between Smartmatic and the IEBC be revoked, as it was procured unlawfully and in contravention of the law.
“The principals of the opposition were firm in proposing that the contract between Smartmatic and the IEBC be revoked, as it was procured unlawfully and in contravention of the law,” Njiru stated.
Smartmatic, a multinational company that builds and implements electronic voting and election technology, was contracted by IEBC in November 2021 to supply the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits used in both the 2017 and 2022 general elections.
Towards the end of the year 2025, the IEBC announced the extension of the contract with the firm in an agreement to cover the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the system.
The united opposition now argues that the extension of Smartmatic’s contract was carried out illegally and has expressed deep concern over the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding the firm’s involvement, calling for its revocation.