The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of Kenya has announced a scheduled system maintenance on its voter verification portal.
This maintenance, aimed at migrating to new infrastructure to enhance service delivery, security, and system performance, has temporarily disrupted access to the records of 22,126,458 registered voters from the 2022 general election.
In a press release dated 6th July 2025, IEBC issued the statement, assuring the public that voter data remains intact and secure, while expressing regret for any inconvenience caused.
Electoral Challenges
Kenya’s electoral history is marked by contentious elections, with the 2007 post-election violence and the 2017 election annulment by the Supreme Court serving as pivotal moments.
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The 2017 election, initially won by Uhuru Kenyatta, was nullified due to irregularities, a historic decision that showed the judiciary’s role in safeguarding democracy.
Despite the peaceful transfer of power in the 2022 election—where William Ruto defeated Raila Odinga in a contest upheld by the Supreme Court—public trust in the IEBC remains fragile.
A 2019 Afrobarometer poll revealed that only 29.2% of Kenyans considered the 2017 election free and fair, highlighting persistent perceptions of electoral malpractice.
The unannounced nature of the current maintenance, coupled with the IEBC’s failure to provide prior notification, echoes these past concerns, fueling speculation of potential data manipulation ahead of future elections.
Sarah Birch’s 2011 study, Electoral Malpractice, argues that unannounced changes to electoral systems, such as voter register updates or portal maintenance, often erode public confidence, particularly in contexts with a history of disputed elections.
The IEBC’s assurance of data security and its commitment to strengthening democracy may be undermined by the timing and execution of this maintenance, especially without a clear deadline for restoration.
What next for IEBC
Many warn that if the portal remains inaccessible for an extended period or if irregularities are perceived post-maintenance, the situation could escalate, potentially mirroring the 2017 protests.
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As the maintenance unfolds, the commission faces a pivotal moment to rebuild confidence through clear communication and verifiable outcomes.
Failure to do so could deepen the divide, turning a routine upgrade into a catalyst for renewed electoral contention.
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