Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against breaching constitutional and procurement rules as it prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Duale said the commission must ensure transparency, fairness and accountability when procuring technology to be used in the elections.
“The commission must uphold transparency and diligence,” Duale said on Sunday while speaking in Garissa.
He said the integrity of the electoral system was critical to protecting democracy and maintaining public confidence in the outcome of the 2027 elections.
Duale’s warning comes days after the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) ordered IEBC to review and amend parts of its tender for the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS).
The tender covers the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the system, hardware and other accessories to support the 2027 elections.
The Board found that some requirements and evaluation criteria in the tender were not sufficiently clear, certain and objective.
It said the shortcomings could affect the principles of transparency, fairness, equality and competitiveness in public procurement.
PPARB, however, did not cancel the tender.
Instead, it directed IEBC to correct the identified shortcomings and publish an amended tender document before proceeding with the procurement.
The commission was also directed to give prospective bidders at least seven days to consider the amendments and prepare their bids.
The review followed a request filed by Galadirel Investment Limited, which challenged aspects of the tender document.
The tender has also attracted political scrutiny after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleged that the procurement process was designed to favour South Korean firm Miru Systems.
IEBC has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the process was open and that no company had been awarded the tender.
The commission has also said the procurement was temporarily halted after the review request was filed.
Duale urged the electoral commission to remain within the law as it undertakes preparations for the 2027 elections.
He said the IEBC carries a constitutional responsibility that cannot be taken lightly, warning that the credibility of the electoral process would depend on how the commission conducts its affairs.
The IEMS tender is among the major preparations being undertaken by IEBC ahead of the August 2027 General Election.
The latest procurement review has therefore placed renewed focus on the commission’s preparedness, transparency and adherence to procurement laws.
