Opposition leaders have demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) abandon Smartmatic technology ahead of next year’s General Election, warning that retaining it could undermine the credibility of the vote.
They also called on the Judiciary to fast-track all election-related cases to provide a clear roadmap leading to the polls.
The call came on Friday in Makindu, Makueni County, during the burial of the father of nominated MCA Albanus Wambua. Leaders from the United Opposition, including Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Patriotic Front, Deputy Party Leader Justin Muturi, and Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K, said the public’s trust in the election process is at stake if Smartmatic systems are used.
"IEBC must completely sever all ties with Smartmatic, a globally discredited company. Any continued engagement signals a compromised election,” Kalonzo noted.
Wamalwa said the opposition has consistently communicated its concerns to IEBC and warned that without a clear roadmap up to August 2027, the country could face problems.
"Sisi kama the loyal Opposition tumekuwa kwa IEBC na kuwatangazia that unless we have a clear road map upto August 2027, nchi itakuwa na shida,” said Wamalwa.
The opposition also urged the Judiciary, led by Chief Justice Martha Koome, to accelerate the handling of all pending election cases, particularly those concerning alleged unlawful procurement of electoral materials.
“Chief Justice Martha Kome must expedite all pending general election cases before the High Court, especially those touching on unlawful procurement of electoral materials,” Kalonzo stated.
Muturi emphasized that the country cannot enter the next election relying on technology that has lost public confidence.
“We cannot go into next year’s election with a discredited technology at the level of Smartmatic. We cannot,” he said.
Separately, Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Fred Matiang’i, speaking at the burial of a brother to Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama, reiterated criticism of the current administration.
"The president ought to know that human beings can make mistakes. I want to imagine that he had good intentions with SHA. Sasa fika mahali useme, this was our plan, but it seems it has a problem umetushinda, wacha tubadilishe so that we help our people," he said.
At another event, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro urged political leaders to maintain decorum when addressing the public.
“We must do our best to bring together the fabric of the nation of Kenya, and for that to happen, let us have some decorum when we are speaking before the people of Kenya,” Nyoro said.
