Mr Collins Gordon Juma, a candidate for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), is calling for changes to how Kenya conducts its electoral process with a bold proposal to abolish the national tallying centre, arguing that votes verified at polling stations don’t need centralized transmission.
He believes political parties and media can independently tally results, making the process faster and more transparent. Juma also advocates for greater use of technology to streamline voting and counting, especially in high-turnout areas, while emphasizing reliable transmission systems to avoid past failures.
However, trust in the IEBC remains low—only 25% of Kenyans expressed confidence in it after the 2022 election. Juma suggests harsher penalties for electoral violations, inspired by countries like South Korea and China, to boost accountability. Meanwhile, Dennis Omondi, another IEBC candidate, warns that political complexities might delay critical boundary delimitation before the 2027 election, despite the IEBC claiming 80% completion. He calls for better communication to engage the youth and combat voter apathy, evident in 2022’s low turnout.
Both candidates agree on the need for voter education and participation. As Kenya’s democracy faces a pivotal moment, the push to eliminate central tallying, embrace technology, and rebuild trust could shape its electoral future.
