Opposition Leaders Issue Fresh Demands to IEBC

Opposition leaders have demanded that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clean up the voter register ahead of the 2027 General Election. 

Addressing the media on Tuesday, September 15, the opposition leaders called on the IEBC to hire a reputable firm to audit the voter register. 

Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi said IEBC should procure the audit firm by November 15, 2026, and the voter register be cleaned by February 15, 2027. 

“We therefore demand that a reputable audit firm be procured no later than November 15, 2026 and that IEBC must have a clean register of voters by February 15, 2027,” Muturi stated. 

The opposition leaders also demanded that a full voter register be published by March 10, 2027 and its verification be completed by April 10, 2027. 

Muturi noted that the opposition leaders will also undertake the inspection of the voter register by the same date. 

“Inspection and verification of the register be completed by 10th of April 20027. The people’s coalition shall undertake a full inspection by the same date,” Muturi added. 

The demands come after IEBC was put on the spot after United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretary general Hassan Omar claimed that dead voters would be used in next year's presidential vote.

PLP Party leader Martha Karua termed the sentiments a grave matter that raised serious questions about the sanctity of the electoral process ahead of the next general election.

Karua demanded answers over what safeguards it has in place following remarks by Omar suggesting the party could leverage the biometric data of deceased persons to bolster President William Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.

"A government official publicly saying their strategy will be 'voting the dead' is a seriously grave matter. The confidence with which such a statement can be made is deeply disturbing, especially at the cusp of an election whose integrity is a constitutional responsibility," Karua said.

On Monday, IEBC dismissed Omar’s claim that the dead will vote in the 2027 General Election.

In a statement, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said a lifeless individual couldn't vote.

Mukhwana added that the IEBC system uses identification and verification features that only grant access to living beings.

"The machines we have rely on biometrics such as fingerprints and iris. So how can a dead person register as a voter or even vote?" he posed.

The Commissioner clapped back at Hassan and warned other politicians against making reckless statements to undermine the electoral commission's credibility.

"Politicians must exercise caution because we are tired of the statements that are hateful and erode public trust in IEBC. They have crossed the line," Mukhwana declared.