As the country moves steadily toward the 2027 General Election, growing debate over the readiness and credibility of the electoral body is raising fresh concern, with Strategic Advisor Fredrick Okango warning that political showmanship could further weaken the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Friday, Okango said Kenya already has strong laws and the technical ability to conduct a free and fair election. However, he argued that the biggest challenge facing the country is the lack of political willingness to fully respect and implement those laws.
“Our laws are very explicit,” he said, referring to Article 86 of the Constitution. “It says whatever voting method is used must be simple, accurate, verifiable, secure, accountable and transparent. That is the law.”
While agreeing that election systems should remain simple, Okango cautioned against turning procurement debates into political battles that undermine the electoral body before voting even begins. He said disputes around election technology are often created on purpose to raise doubt.
“We have the capacity as a country. Are we able to achieve it? The answer is yes,” he said. “Are we having the goodwill to do that? The answer is no.”
Okango questioned why Kenya continues to rely on imported ballot papers and election systems despite having local professionals who can handle such work. “I’ve always asked myself, why do we import ballot papers from a desert country when we can make them here?” he said, noting that the same concern applies to election technology.
Even so, he stressed that reform should be done through institutions, not pressure or intimidation. He criticised the practice of senior political figures making large group visits to IEBC offices, saying such actions can send the wrong message.
“When you go into somebody’s office, 50 of you, high-level politicians, that is intimidating,” he said. “Even if you sign the visitors’ book.”
He added that constant public calls for the removal of commissioners and senior officials have played a major role in damaging public trust in the electoral body.
“The people of Kenya do not believe in IEBC because the political class have also contributed immensely in eroding the values in it,” he said.
Okango also warned that time is working against the commission as the election date draws closer. “You can amend laws, revise budgets, recruit new managers, but you cannot revise time,” he said. “Time is clicking.”
He noted that while Kenyans are clear about when they will vote, there is still uncertainty about how the election will be managed if political leaders continue questioning the system in advance. He warned that such doubts are often used later to reject election results.
“If they lose that election, they’ll blame the system and say, ‘We raised this earlier’,” he said.
The strategic advisor urged IEBC to communicate more openly with the public about its state of preparedness, especially on funding challenges. He said the commission should clearly explain any financial gaps and how additional funds would be spent.
According to Okango, IEBC should openly address the reported funding shortfall of about Sh20 billion and give Kenyans a clear breakdown of its needs.
“They must tell Kenyans, this is the deficit, this is how it has come about, and this is what we need to do,” he said.
On the issue of election technology, Okango said any move to cancel, replace or introduce new systems must follow the law and go through Parliament.
“If you want a new system, you must petition Parliament and say, this is what we need,” he said, adding that lawmakers have a responsibility to provide both legal backing and funding for elections.
He dismissed claims that recent exits at IEBC were caused only by political pressure, saying the challenges facing the commission have been building for years. He argued that focusing only on appearances ignores deeper issues such as court cases, limited funding and slow reforms.
“This is something that started several years ago,” he said.
Okango concluded by calling for open and honest engagement instead of confrontation, urging leaders to support institutions rather than weaken them.
“Let us support institutions like IEBC,” he said. “The commission is new. Let us engage them honestly, highlight the challenges, but also offer solutions.”
With the election date already set and political tension rising, questions around IEBC’s credibility and preparedness are emerging as a major issue in the country’s political landscape.
