By Perez Karisa, June 24, 2026
Former Attorney General Justin B. N. Muturi, representing Wiper Democratic Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has called for heightened transparency and continuous stakeholder engagement in Kenya’s electoral management, insisting that elections must remain firmly under the control of citizens and not technology systems.
Speaking during a strategic electoral forum on democratic reforms, Muturi emphasized that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must involve political parties more closely in the development and implementation of its Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and the Election Operation Plan (EOP) 2025–2027.
He argued that public trust in elections can only be guaranteed if all key stakeholders are consulted regularly and meaningfully, particularly on reforms that shape how elections are conducted and results are verified.
Muturi issued a strong caution against what he termed over-reliance on technology in electoral processes, stating that democratic credibility should never be compromised by complex systems that limit public scrutiny. He maintained that while technology has a role in modern elections, it must remain subordinate to transparency and verifiability.
According to him, manual verification processes and open observation mechanisms should continue to play a central role in safeguarding electoral integrity. He stressed that voters must be able to independently understand and verify each stage of the election process without ambiguity or excessive technical barriers.
The former Attorney General also called for strict, stage-by-stage audits of the electoral cycle, beginning from voter registration through to tallying and declaration of results. He said each phase must be independently verifiable to eliminate opportunities for dispute and reinforce public confidence in outcomes.
Muturi placed particular emphasis on the transmission of election results, describing it as the most sensitive component of the electoral process. He said credibility in this stage determines whether elections are accepted or rejected by the public.
He urged the IEBC to develop “foolproof and verifiable” transmission systems that are resilient, transparent, and open to scrutiny by political parties and observers alike.
The remarks come amid ongoing national discussions on electoral reforms and preparations for upcoming election cycles, with stakeholders increasingly calling for a balance between technological efficiency and procedural transparency.
Muturi reiterated that Kenya’s democratic system must prioritize citizens’ trust above all else, warning that any perception of manipulation or opacity in electoral systems risks undermining the legitimacy of future elections.
