NAIROBI, Kenya Aug 17 — Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against allowing Smartmatic to return as the provider of election software for the 2027 General Election, saying the commission should proceed with its new procurement process.
Speaking during a church service at Redeemed Gospel Church in Kithimani Township, Machakos County, on August 16, Kalonzo said the Commission should not allow challenges to the ongoing procurement process to create an opportunity for Smartmatic to retain its role in Kenya’s election technology.
“IEBC, Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission. The world is not just in Kenya. The world is watching you. We said we cannot go to the next election with Smartmatic as a provider of the software. It is good, mume-advertise. But we are also aware mumetuma wengine waende kwa, you know, the procurement authority, kusimamisha. Because mnataka mseme wakati umeenda, turudi kwa Smartmatic. Hiyo hatutakubali. Simple. As simple as that,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo accused unnamed actors of attempting to interfere with the procurement process and said such practices should end as Kenya prepares for the next General Election.
“We know these games. These games must come to an end,” he said.
The Wiper leader said the management of the electoral process should uphold the constitutional principle that sovereign power belongs to the people.
“We want to settle this country as a democratic country in terms of Article 1 of the Constitution of Kenya, where the sovereign power belongs to the people. And the people can choose to exercise it either directly or through their elected representatives,” he said.
Kalonzo also referred to the youth-led protests against the Finance Bill as an example of Kenyans exercising their constitutional right to participate directly in public affairs.
“Vijana walienda ku-exercise directly wakati walipinga Finance Bill,” he said.
The remarks came days after the IEBC advertised international tenders for key election technology and materials ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election. The tenders published on August 11 include the supply, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of an Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS), together with related hardware and accessories.
The technology tender is part of the Commission’s preparations for the 2027 polls, with the IEBC also seeking suppliers for ballot papers and other statutory election materials. The Commission’s procurement programme is being undertaken more than a year before the election as it works to secure the technology, materials and infrastructure required for the polls.
The current procurement process is significant because Smartmatic provided election technology to the IEBC for the 2022 General Election. In November 2021, the commission entered into a contract with Smartmatic International Holdings B.V. for the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS).
The IEBC said Smartmatic emerged with the highest technical and financial score after five companies participated in the competitive bidding process. The commission put the cumulative cost of the project at Sh3.2 billion and said the award was challenged before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board and in court, with the commission’s decision ultimately upheld.
For the 2027 election cycle, the IEBC has indicated that it plans to acquire new election technology and replace most of the KIEMS kits bought in 2017. Its planning documents provide for the procurement of KIEMS kits and election technology software as part of preparations for the polls.
The commission’s Election Operations Plan also provides for an audit of election technology between July and October 2026, followed by testing and certification of the technology in February and March 2027. It further provides for the establishment of ICT security and network infrastructure and the setting up of the General Election Results Transmission Network ahead of the poll.
Kalonzo’s objection to Smartmatic comes as political parties and other stakeholders begin closely following the IEBC’s procurement of technology and other election materials. The commission has said its preparations include procurement, voter registration, electoral reforms, technology infrastructure and other operational activities required for the 2027 election.
With the IEBC now in the procurement phase for key election technology, Kalonzo’s remarks put renewed focus on the supplier that will eventually be selected to provide the system for the 2027 polls and on the transparency of the process through which that decision will be made.
