Veteran Kenyan lawyer Paul Muite has publicly criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over its historical engagement with Smartmatic, the technology firm at the centre of fresh election integrity concerns.
In a post on social media, Muite asked why IEBC, responsible for overseeing Kenyan elections, chose Smartmatic—a company with origins linked to Venezuela, a country widely regarded as having weak democratic credentials—to supply sensitive election equipment.
He questioned the rationale behind opting for a foreign firm of contentious reputation when numerous technology providers exist globally.
Muite also called for lifestyle audits of past and current IEBC commissioners, arguing that such scrutiny is necessary to ensure accountability and to allay public concerns over the procurement process.
He framed his demand as part of broader efforts to safeguard transparency and restore public confidence in Kenya’s electoral institutions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Opposition figures have pointed to these claims as justification for deeper oversight of election systems and transparency from IEBC.
IEBC has previously defended its use of Smartmatic technology, stating it followed legal procurement processes, but debates over transparency and foreign involvement in election tech persist as the country prepares for 2027 polls