As the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is turning to radio frequency technology in an effort to tighten control over its electronic voting equipment and shield the process from fresh controversy.

The electoral agency has issued a tender for the installation of a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) inventory management system that will track Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits and other sensitive devices from storage facilities to polling stations.

The move signals a significant shift from manual oversight to automated, real-time monitoring.

According to tender documents, the system will first be deployed at the commission’s central elections technology hub, where most of the equipment is stored and configured before being dispatched across the country.

The plan is to begin with KIEMS tablets, the devices used to identify voters and transmit results, before expanding to printers, laptops, desktops, power banks and satellite communication tools.

IEBC says the goal is to guarantee what it describes as end-to-end visibility and control over election materials. The commission also promises an unbreakable chain of custody” from the moment equipment is received, through maintenance and storage, to final deployment in polling stations.

How it will work

Under the proposed system, each KIEMS kit will be fitted with a passive high-frequency RFID tag embedded with a unique identity code. Unlike barcodes, which require direct scanning, RFID tags can be read automatically by handheld or fixed scanners without line-of-sight.

Readers will be installed at entry and exit points of storage centres to capture the movement of devices in bulk.

Every tagged device will be logged into a central database that links the radio frequency code to the tablet’s serial number, model, assigned election official and current location. Any movement in or out of storage will be recorded automatically, creating a digital trail that can be reviewed at any time.

The system is also designed to trigger alerts if equipment is moved without authorisation. It will support automated check-in and check-out procedures, track issuance and return of kits, and generate detailed reports on inventory status and movement history.

 Authorised personnel will monitor the equipment through a web-based dashboard or Android application, with plans to integrate the platform into IEBC’s existing technology infrastructure.

“Manual counting leaves room for mistakes and delays. With this system, we can know where each device is at any given time. If something moves without clearance, the system will flag it immediately,” the commission said.

The move comes amid persistent claims of electoral malpractice, particularly regarding KIEMS kits. Following the 2022 General Election, the Azimio la Umoja coalition, led by the late Raila Odinga, challenged the presidential results at the Supreme Court of Kenya.

Among the accusations were claims that some KIEMS kits had been accessed irregularly and that results were transmitted from unauthorised locations rather than designated polling stations.

The IEBC has consistently dismissed those claims, maintaining that its systems were secure and that the election was conducted within the law. The court ultimately upheld the presidential outcome, but questions about the handling and tracking of the devices have lingered in public debate.

By introducing RFID tracking, the commission appears keen to demonstrate that it has learned from past scrutiny. Election observers have long argued that the integrity of technology does not rest only on software security, but also on how physical devices are handled before, during and after polling day.

Still, the effectiveness of the system will depend on rigorous implementation and staff training. Any technological upgrade carries risks, including cost implications and the possibility of technical glitches.

For now, IEBC is betting that radio frequency tracking will help it run a tighter operation in 2027. Whether that will quiet critics and restore full confidence in the electoral process remains to be seen.