IEBC Opens International Tenders for Kiems Kits and Ballot Papers

Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched international tenders for Kiems kits and ballot papers, with deadlines set for early September 2026. The Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) hardware tender requires a Ksh30 million (US$232,000) bid security, while the ballot papers tender requires a Ksh40 million (US$309,000) bid security, both due on the same date.

The IEMS programme is estimated at Ksh9.3 billion (US$71.9 million), and the ballot papers, forms, and related materials at Ksh2.7 billion (US$20.9 million), with voter registration adding another Ksh2 billion (US$15.5 million). These requisitions could total up to Ksh14 billion (US$108 million) within a broader IEBC election budget of Ksh61.7 billion (US$477 million) spread over three fiscal years.

The election budget is already under scrutiny, with parliament questioning a proposed Ksh13 billion (US$100 million) increase for 2026/27. Opposition figures are also scrutinizing the procurement timelines and transparency standards. Kenya has a history of election procurement disputes, including challenges to ballot paper procurement in 2017 and 2022.

The Kiems tender was awarded to Smartmatic International Holding B.V. in 2022, but it also generated litigation and political criticism. The use of foreign vendors for election technology is a global issue, with Western, European, and transnational firms competing in emerging democracies.