People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has questioned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission over accountability gaps, citing concerns about unaccounted KIEMS kits and alleged voter data integrity issues, urging the commission to act transparently.
In a statement on Saturday, Karua raised alarm over alleged reports that the commission may be unable to account for over 20,000 KIEMS kits, while also questioning the integrity of voter data on its public portal.
She said the electoral body must “confirm or deny” the claims and urgently reassure Kenyans that its actions are in good faith and not intended to disenfranchise voters.
Karua further linked the concerns to broader constitutional protections, warning that any move that effectively forces Kenyans who registered before 2012 to re-register within a short period would raise “serious constitutional concerns.”
She emphasized that “the right to vote is not conditional, it is guaranteed under Article 38 of our Constitution,” adding that the burden of administrative transitions within the commission “must never shift to the voter.”
Citing Articles 81 and 86, she reminded the commission of its obligation to ensure an electoral system that is “inclusive, transparent, and does not disenfranchise any citizen.”
Karua cautioned that failure to uphold these principles could erode public trust in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The PLP leader also called for clear assurances that no eligible Kenyan would be locked out of the next poll, particularly vulnerable groups such as the elderly and those living in remote areas.
“The IEBC must urgently convince Kenyans that their move is in good faith,” she said.
Reaffirming her stance, Karua declared, “Kura zetu ni haki yetu,” vowing that citizens will not stand by as bureaucratic processes threaten the sovereignty of the people.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on Saturday clarified the confusion over voter registration requirements, stating that Kenyans who registered before 2012 are not required to register afresh unless they were not captured under the biometric system introduced that year.
“Not at all unless they did not register as voters from 2012 when the new Register of Voters was established,” the Commission said, seeking to reassure the public amid growing concern over the matter.
The commission explained that the 2012 shift from a manual to a biometric voter register marked a major overhaul of the electoral database, and that the current roll—used in elections since 2013—remains valid and has undergone periodic audits.
“Before 2012, the Register of Voters was manual. In 2012, it went biometric and all eligible Kenyans were required to enrol and have their biometrics captured,” the statement read.
As of the 2022 General Election, the register stood at over 22 million voters. The IEBC dismissed claims that all pre-2012 voters must re-register, urging the public to rely on official communication and avoid panic.
“No panic. Hapa kazi tu!” the statement added.
