Kenya faces mounting questions about electoral preparedness as Professor PLO Lumumba criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during his appearance on the JKL live show on Wednesday night.
Lumumba highlighted the commission’s failure to prevent corruption and oversee political conduct, raising alarms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to Lumumba, past elections exposed gaps in oversight, with candidates allegedly receiving inducements while the IEBC remained passive.
“Candidates were given mattresses under their very watch. People died under their very watch,” he said, pointing to failures that undermined public confidence in electoral institutions.
The constitutional mandate of the IEBC includes managing free and fair elections, setting boundaries, and ensuring transparency in political campaigns.
Critics argue that repeated allegations of malpractice and delayed results in previous polls have eroded trust in the body’s ability to manage complex national elections.
Lumumba also commented on Kenya’s broader political environment, stating that ethnicity-driven mobilization and political intimidation continue to shape campaigns.
He warned that these trends reduce the prospects for credible opposition, noting:
“The thing called opposition does not exist because opposition is meant to be a group of responsible individuals who are properly organized to provide alternative governance systems.”
Historically, Kenya’s opposition parties have struggled with fragmentation, internal disputes, and limited capacity to challenge ruling coalitions effectively.
Lumumba’s critique arrives as political actors and civil society groups call for strengthened electoral oversight and enhanced civic education.
Advocates emphasize that reforms in party organization, candidate vetting, and monitoring of campaign finance are necessary to improve the integrity of future polls.
The IEBC has previously affirmed that it is working to modernize voter registration and result transmission systems.
However, the commission has yet to directly respond to Lumumba’s comments, leaving questions about its readiness to manage the electoral process under scrutiny.
With the 2027 elections approaching, public debate over electoral competence and political accountability is intensifying, highlighting the need for robust institutions and organized opposition capable of safeguarding Kenya’s democratic processes.
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