Renowned activist and lawyer Saitabao ole Kanchory has outlined a set of conditions he says must be met for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to deliver a free, fair and credible general election in 2027.

In a post shared on X on January 10, 2026, Kanchory listed five reforms he described as non-negotiable, warning that without them, public confidence in the electoral process would remain undermined.

Ultimatum to IEBC leadership

Kanchory’s demands focus heavily on the leadership and institutional structure of the IEBC, beginning with a call for the removal of senior officials at the commission.

“For @IEBCKenya to have any chance of delivering a free, fair and credible election in 2027, we MUST: 1. Overhaul and replace the Secretariat. Marjan Hussein, Marjan and his team MUST GO,” he stated.

He also called for the dismissal of returning officers found to have committed electoral malpractices in previous elections, arguing that accountability within election management remains a major concern.

“Fire returning officers found to have committed any electoral malpractices in any previous election,” Kanchory added.

His remarks come amid renewed scrutiny of the IEBC’s integrity, with critics questioning the commission’s independence and internal controls following controversies linked to past electoral cycles.

Concerns over technology and procurement

A central feature of Kanchory’s statement is the demand for changes in election technology and procurement processes. He called for the immediate termination of contracts with firms involved in past elections.

“Immediately get rid of the discredited Venezuelan Co. Smartmatic and ensure we have a tamper-proof system from a credible technology firm procured openly and transparently with proper public participation,” he said.

He further demanded the replacement of the Greek firm Inform Lykos, which has previously been involved in printing ballot papers and other election materials.

“Replace (w.i.e) the Greek firm Inform Lykos, which used to print ballot papers and other election materials,” Kanchory stated.

These demands echo ongoing concerns raised by opposition figures over alleged procurement irregularities, foreign influence and transparency in the management of election-related contracts.

Call for vigilance ahead of 2027

Kanchory concluded by urging heightened public scrutiny of the current IEBC, which he described as politically influenced.

“5. Keep our eyes wide open and closely monitor Ruto’s handpicked IEBC, watching their every move and challenging any decision or action that could affect the credibility of the elections,” he said.

His remarks align with broader public scepticism towards the electoral body, reflected in a recent Infotrak survey released on December 28, 2025, following the November 27, 2025, by-elections.

The survey showed low confidence levels, with only 8 per cent of respondents describing the polls as very free, fair and credible, while 31 per cent said they were not credible.