Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of being “terribly captured” and failing to operate transparently, warning that the credibility of future elections is at risk if reforms are not urgently undertaken.
Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Muturi said that although the current commissioners are relatively new, their conduct has raised serious concerns.
“It shows a commission that is terribly, terribly captured,” he said, adding that while some commissioners are experienced and respected, “there’s room for improvement, but they must also admit” where things have gone wrong.
Drawing from his experience interacting with election management bodies in countries such as South Africa, Ghana and Nigeria, Muturi said transparency is key to building public confidence.
He urged the IEBC to proactively disclose its activities to the public.
“If they want to build confidence, particularly among the electorate, they must deliberately go out and robustly make public whatever it is that they are doing,” he said.
Muturi reminded the commission of its constitutional obligation under Article 88 to conduct continuous voter education.
“It is their responsibility… telling the voter that these are your rights,” he said, noting that Kenyan voters are politically enlightened and quick to detect bias. “If they see them bending the rules to favour others, Kenyans are good to point it out.”
He also faulted the IEBC for failing to fully engage political parties, urging it to utilise the Political Parties Liaison Committee provided for under the law.
Citing South Africa as an example, Muturi said electoral bodies elsewhere openly involve political players even in recruiting presiding officers.
“They advertise and invite all political players… and ask if any of the shortlisted persons are of suspicious character,” he said.
Muturi linked the current mistrust in the IEBC to how the commissioners were appointed, arguing that the process lacked inclusivity following the formation of what he termed a “mongrel called a broad-based government.”
He claimed that parties outside the arrangement had no say in the appointments, undermining confidence in the commission as a neutral referee.
Despite his criticism, Muturi said the commission still deserves a chance to redeem itself. “Just understand your mandate and implement it as per the law,” he urged, cautioning against any form of favoritism as alleged in recent by-elections.
He further warned that election officials are not immune to accountability.
“At an appropriate time, we as Kenyans are at liberty to even file private prosecutions against individual commissioners and officers for violations… of the Constitution,” he said, calling on the IEBC to listen to public concerns and restore trust through lawful, open and fair conduct.
