The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has ignited a firestorm of criticism with its announcement to procure new Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits at a staggering Sh7 billion KIEMS kits procurement cost for the 2027 General Election, as revealed by Deputy CEO Obadiah Keitany during a National Assembly briefing on February 25, 2025.
The commission claims that the 45,352 KIEMS kits, acquired for the 2017 polls, are now obsolete due to technological redundancy, failed batteries, and expired manufacturer support, necessitating a full replacement except for 14,000 units bought in 2022.
Critics, including MPs Mwengi Mutuse and Otiende Amollo, argue the move reflects wasteful spending and poor planning, demanding an audit of existing kits before approving the budget.
The IEBC’s decision to replace 45,352 KIEMS kits, which electronically capture voters’ biometrics to curb impersonation, has drawn sharp scrutiny, with the commission projecting a need for 59,352 total units to cover 55,393 polling stations in 2027, up from 46,229 in 2022.
Each new kit, priced at KES 65,000, contributes to the Sh7 billion KIEMS kits procurement cost, which MPs argue could be avoided by refurbishing existing units.
Finance Director Osman Ibrahim justified the replacement, stating that KIEMS kits become obsolete after 10 years, rendering the 2017 batch unreliable by 2027.
However, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC), led by Tharaka MP George Murugara, mandated a three-month expert report on the usability and salvage value of current kits, reflecting doubts about the necessity of new purchases.
Public and political backlash centers on the IEBC’s history of costly and controversial procurements, with the 2017 election costing Sh49.9 billion, billion, Sh2,540 per voter, far exceeding global benchmarks like India’s Sh80.5 per voter in 2014.
The 2017 KIEMS kits, supplied by French firm Idemia (formerly OT-Morpho) for Sh6.8 billion, faced allegations of irregular procurement, with commissioners split over direct sourcing, as revealed in Public Accounts Committee minutes.
The 2022 tender to Smartmatic International for Sh3.2 billion was also marred by legal challenges and bribery allegations against its president, Roger Piñate, linked to the 2016 Philippine elections.
Critics question why the IEBC cannot upgrade software or repair hardware, accusing the commission of inflating costs to benefit corrupt networks.
The obsolete KIEMS kits’ justification has failed to convince stakeholders, with MPs like Mutuse asking, “Why would we be replacing the KIEMS kits yet they are working?” during the February 2025 briefing.
The 2017 kits, equipped with biometric voter identification and results transmission software, experienced sporadic failures, prompting the IEBC to retain manual registers as backups.
The commission’s claim that expired manufacturer support and battery failures necessitate replacements overlooks potential cost-saving measures like software updates or battery replacements, which could extend the lifespan of the 41,000 kits from 2017.
The 14,000 kits procured from Smartmatic in 2022, costing Sh4 billion, remain functional, raising further questions about the scale of the proposed replacement.
The IEBC’s Sh61.7 billion budget for 2027, including Sh7 billion for KIEMS kits, Sh6 billion for ballot papers, and Sh7 billion for voter registration, has reignited debates about Kenya’s high election costs, second only to Papua New Guinea globally.
The commission’s request for early funding in the 2025/26 financial year aims to address preparatory activities, but Treasury CS John Mbadi warned against extravagant spending, questioning why election materials are procured anew each cycle.
The IEBC’s Sh3.8 billion in pending bills and a Sh6.7 billion deficit further complicate its financial credibility. Calls for transparency, including livestreamed procurement processes and public audits, have intensified, with The Star reporting over 60 tenders floated without a functional commission, raising legal compliance concerns.
The new IEBC, led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, faces pressure to restore public trust following the 2022 election controversies and a 30-month leadership void.
The National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) reforms, emphasising transparent procurement and robust technology, add urgency to the commission’s task, with only 18 months to prepare for 2027.
Proposals to scrap voter cards for biometric verification using IDs aim to cut costs, but the Sh7 billion KIEMS procurement remains contentious.
The commission must navigate legal challenges, including a pending court advisory on boundary delimitation, while addressing public doubts about inflated budgets, urging trust-building measures. The IEBC’s ability to justify its procurement and deliver credible elections will shape Kenya’s democratic future.