Duale warns IEBC against breaching rules in electoral technology tender

Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has cautioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against violating constitutional and procurement regulations as they prepare for the 2027 General Election. Duale emphasized the importance of transparency in the selection of firms to provide election technology, stating that it is vital for maintaining public trust in the election outcome.

Speaking on September 6, 2026, Duale urged the commission to "strictly adhere to constitutional and procurement requirements" when choosing firms for the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS). He stressed that the integrity of the electoral system is crucial for preserving democracy and sustaining public confidence in election results.

The warning comes as IEBC faces scrutiny over the procurement of the IEMS, which is a key component of the technology infrastructure for the 2027 elections. The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) recently ordered IEBC to review the IEMS tender, finding that some requirements and evaluation criteria were unclear, unspecific, and not objective.

The Board directed IEBC to correct these issues before publishing a new, compliant tender document. IEBC has seven days to provide prospective bidders with adequate time to review the amendments and prepare their bids. The commission maintains that responsibility for the technical specifications of the IEMS remains with them. Duale's latest caution comes as there is a broader political debate over IEBC's preparations for the 2027 election, with former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua questioning the commission's procurement process and alleging favoritism towards a South Korean firm, Miru Systems.

IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon has dismissed these allegations as false and unsubstantiated, stating that the tender is still at an early stage and no company has been awarded the IEMS contract.