Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi has called for the immediate termination of the contract between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and Smartmatic, terming the proposed extension unlawful and irregular.

Speaking during an interview with a local station on Monday, March 23, 2026, Muturi warned that the extension could undermine transparency in the country’s electoral processes.

Muturi said that the proposed extension “cannot stand” and must be scrapped to restore public confidence in the electoral system.

“Terminate the contract. The proposed extension between the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and Smartmatic is unlawful, irregular, and cannot stand,” Muturi said.

‘Current arrangement is illegal’

According to Muturi, the push for the contract extension was not a collective decision by the commission but was allegedly entered into “singlehandedly”.

He said that while an extension has been proposed, the actual signing has not happened, adding that the current arrangement is illegal and requires immediate correction.

“We are fully aware of the scheme to drag this process until it is too late to undertake a fresh, transparent procurement, then turn around and tell Kenyans there is no time left. That is a trick, and Kenyans are not fools,” Muturi said.

Muturi maintained that the IEBC’s independence is “non-negotiable” and that the commission must resist any attempts to serve partisan interests.

“The Commission must not allow itself to be used to serve partisan interests. Its independence is non-negotiable. Any attempt to manipulate timelines or processes to favour certain outcomes will be firmly resisted. Terminate this contract now, and restore public confidence in our electoral system,” Muturi said.

Opposition raises Smartmatic concerns

The issue has also drawn attention from opposition figures aligned with the United Alternative Government coalition. The group has pushed for months for the electoral body to cut ties with Smartmatic.

Earlier this year, opposition leaders met IEBC officials and demanded a review of the contract with the technology firm. They asked the commission to disclose full details of its agreements and explain its plans ahead of the 2027 Kenyan general election.

Court cases have also emerged around the issue. Some lawsuits claim the IEBC secretly extended its contract with Smartmatic despite earlier public statements suggesting otherwise.

Other opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Martha Karua, have echoed similar concerns. They have called on the electoral body to suspend any dealings with Smartmatic and release full records of its contracts.