It can be argued that of all the Chapter 15 constitutional bodies, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is the most consequential. The electoral agency’s mandate and conduct have a monumental impact on the country’s peace and stability. It is the prefect of democratic competition. It is set up to promote constitutionalism, democracy and the rule of law.

According to Article 88 of the Constitution, the commission is responsible for conducting or supervising referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by law.

 The IEBC is also charged with the continuous registration of citizens as voters, redrawing the boundaries of constituencies and wards, and regulation of the process by which parties nominate candidates for elections.

Further, the agency is responsible for settling electoral disputes, including those relating to or arising from nominations but excluding election petitions and disputes subsequent to the declaration of election results.

It is not easy to conclude that the management of elections has been above board. Due to the conduct of the IEBC, the Supreme Court in 2017 nullified a presidential election, saying it had not been “conducted in accordance with the Constitution” and declared it “invalid, null and void”.

In the last election, a group of commissioners disowned the results announced by the IEBC chairman. The country is currently recruiting new commissioners for the agency.

What is baffling is that officials picked for the IEBC have been completely unable to wean themselves of old habits that have frequently put the country at risk of disintegration.

It has also been the centre of corruption deals because of its budget that runs into the billions of shillings. Appearing before Parliament, IEBC officials said the agency projects that the 2027 General Election will cost taxpayers Sh61.7 billion.

The funds will be used for voter registration, the purchase of new voting gadgets, conducting pending by-elections and civic education, and acquiring new voting materials, among other emerging needs.

There is a legitimate debate over the indication that a significant portion of the budget will go to replacing outdated election equipment. The enduring question becomes: Should the commission be replacing kits every election cycle? It is time for Kenyans to demand accountability on how the IEBC uses the funds it gets from taxpayers.