Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has raised concerns about the government’s delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), calling it a significant issue with the next general election just three years away.
He described the lack of a functioning electoral body as regrettable and urged those responsible to act in the nation’s interest.
Speaking at a regional conference on artificial intelligence (AI), digital media, and social media’s role in elections, held in Nairobi, Kalonzo emphasized the urgency of reconstituting the IEBC. He appealed to stakeholders to prioritize national good over personal agendas.
“I urge those standing in the way of reconstituting IEBC to see the bigger picture. Set aside narrow selfish interests and focus on the greater good of the nation,” Kalonzo said. He also stressed the importance of having the commission in place early to start preparing for the next elections, including adopting and familiarizing with new technologies.
Kalonzo called for extensive voter education on the technologies the IEBC plans to use, highlighting the need for transparent and verifiable systems. “When discussing the role of AI in elections, we must ensure that such technologies enhance, not undermine, democratic processes,” he noted.
He underlined that election technologies should be designed to support free, fair, and credible elections. “Election technologies must be simple, verifiable, free, and fair to ensure they serve democracy rather than compromise it,” he added.
The conference was attended by IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein, Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo, and other leaders and partners, with discussions focused on leveraging technology for credible elections while addressing potential risks.
