Survey reveals political interference, corruption as top concerns for IEBC
The issue of corruption has resurfaced following the IEBC's budget estimate of Sh61 billion for the 2027 elections.
Concerns about the effectiveness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continue to mount as the commission faces challenges of political interference, corruption, and resource constraints.
This comes amid the ongoing interviews for the position of the IEBC chairperson, which began on Monday.
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A survey conducted by Inforak and released on Monday revealed widespread apprehension among key stakeholders regarding the commission's ability to oversee credible elections, particularly with the ongoing challenges faced since the 2007 elections.
External interference emerged as a significant concern, with 39 per cent of survey respondents expressing doubts that the commission may be swayed by political forces beyond its control, thereby risking the impartiality of its operations. This perception is feared to undermine public trust in the electoral process.
Corruption also remains a pressing issue, with 38 per cent of respondents pointing to concerns about the management of funds, procurement irregularities, and financial misappropriations within the commission.
The issue of corruption has resurfaced following the IEBC's budget estimate of Sh61 billion for the 2027 elections.
Rising mistrust
The commission's legal director, Crispin Owiye, defended the figure, explaining that the high budget is partly driven by political instability and rising mistrust in the country.
The lack of a full commission was another critical point raised, with 38 per cent of respondents highlighting the absence of key commissioners as a major challenge.
Without a complete team in place, the commission faces difficulties in making vital decisions that could hinder the progress of election preparations.
Funding challenges were also identified as a major barrier, with 23 per cent of those surveyed pointing out the limited financial resources available to the IEBC.
This shortage could affect the commission's ability to deploy election materials, train election officials, and upgrade crucial election technology.
Furthermore, 13 per cent of respondents flagged the lack of manpower and outdated election equipment as additional obstacles that hinder the commission's efficiency.
Despite these challenges, 3 per cent of respondents raised concerns about the absence of clear legal guidelines for electoral dispute resolution.
The survey's findings shed light on the long-standing issues the IEBC continues to face. As the panel led by Nelson Makanda reviews candidates for the chairperson role, 11 individuals are slated to be interviewed.
These include Abdulqadir Lorot Ramadhan, former Chief Registrar of the Judiciary Anne Atieno Amadi, ex-East African Court of Justice judge Charles Ayako Nyachae, and Edward Katama Ngeywa, who were interviewed on March 24, 2025.
Other candidates, including Erastus Edung Ethekon, Francis Kakai Kissinger, Jacob Ngwele Muvengei, and Joy Brenda Masinde-Mdivo, are expected to be interviewed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025.
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