Kalonzo warns IEBC against Smartmatic as provider of 2027 election software

Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the Wiper Democratic Movement, cautioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against appointing Smartmatic as the software provider for the 2027 Kenyan General Election. During a church service at Redeemed Gospel Church in Kithimani Township, Machakos County, Kalonzo emphasized that Kenyans would not tolerate another use of Smartmatic for the upcoming election.

"Dear everybody, and IEBC, the world is not just in Kenya. The world is watching you," Kalonzo stated. He alleged that there were attempts to sway the procurement authorities, potentially leading to Smartmatic being retained for Kenya's election technology. "We said we cannot go to the next election with Smartmatic as the provider of the software," he warned.

Kalonzo accused those involved in the procurement process of playing games and emphasized that such practices should cease. "We know these games. These games must come to an end," he added. Smartmatic had previously supplied election technology to IEBC for the 2022 General Election, securing the contract after a competitive tender with five firms.

The company was awarded the highest technical and financial scores. The IEBC's election operations plan for 2027 includes an audit of election technology, testing, certification, and establishing ICT security infrastructure. Kalonzo urged Kenyans to utilize elections to exercise their constitutional power, as stated in Article 1 of the Constitution, rather than resorting to direct action. He urged Kenyans to elect leaders immune to state influence.