Sifuna presses IEBC to adopt reputable election technology for 2027
By Faith Lagat, March 22, 2026Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to ensure credible and transparent technology is used in the 2027 general election.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi Mega Rally in Narok on March 22, 2026, Sifuna called on the electoral body to procure technology from reputable companies and ensure the system is subject to public scrutiny. Leaders, including James Orengo and Babu Owino, also attended the rally.
“We want to ask that the technology they’re going to procure be from a reputable company/country, countries that hold their companies accountable whenever they do business in foreign places,” Sifuna stated.
“We want that technology to be auditable before and after elections… we want multiparty oversight over the system of the technology that we’ll be employing for 2027.”
Debate over Smartmatic’s role in elections
Sifuna’s remarks come amid scrutiny over the possible continued engagement of Smartmatic International Technologies, the firm that supplied the Kenya Integrated Election Management System kits used in the 2022 elections.
Critics have raised concerns about the company’s involvement in Kenya’s electoral processes, citing controversies linked to the firm in several countries. Among those who have expressed concerns is former Attorney General Justin Muturi, who warned of possible protests if the electoral body fails to present a transparent alternative.
Opposition leaders including Kalonzo Musyoka have also criticised the alleged renewal of Smartmatic’s contract before the full electoral commission was constituted.
Other leaders, among them Eugene Wamalwa and Martha Karua, have called for cancellation of the contract and greater disclosure regarding electoral technology agreements.
IEBC prepares for voter registration
Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has begun preparations for the 2027 elections. On March 16, 2026, the commission announced that the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise will begin on March 30, 2026.
The process is expected to expand and update the voter register following low turnout in recent registration drives. The commission has also launched a cascaded training programme for registration officials, starting with master trainers and extending to cluster-level operational sessions.
Shortlisted candidates for temporary roles are currently undergoing interviews as the electoral body works to strengthen operational capacity for the upcoming registration exercise.