IEBC Commissioner Mukhwana Links Kenya’s Electoral Distrust to 1992 Multi-Party Era

IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana has called for broad institutional reforms, saying that public mistrust in Kenya’s electoral system stems from longstanding structural issues rather than the actions of the current commission.

In a televised interview on Monday, Mukhwana traced the roots of voter scepticism back to the reintroduction of multi-party democracy in 1992. He said that while the commission has faced ongoing criticism, the distrust is not a recent development. 

“The issue of trust is historical,” he noted, arguing that the credibility challenges faced by the IEBC have accumulated over decades.

His comments come as Parliament reviews the IEBC Amendment Bill and civil society groups increase pressure for electoral reforms. Mukhwana emphasised that real progress would require more than changes in personnel, urging a focus on addressing institutional weaknesses that have persisted through multiple electoral cycles.

Addressing previous logistical challenges, including long queues, malfunctioning equipment, and limited access for urban and diaspora voters, Mukhwana outlined a new operational strategy. The IEBC plans to deploy four biometric voter registration kits per constituency: two to ease congestion at polling centres and two "open kits" to allow voters to cast ballots from alternative locations within their home constituencies. 

The aim is to improve voter accessibility and reduce wait times, especially for youth and working populations. In a separate radio interview, Mukhwana also responded to concerns over the impartiality of IEBC officials, some of whom have faced scrutiny due to prior associations with political figures. 

He acknowledged the perception but defended the commission’s integrity, saying that the Constitution does not disqualify individuals from holding public office based on previous professional interactions. 

“We live in this country,” he said, “and the Constitution does not bar anyone from holding a position simply because they have interacted with someone in leadership.”

Meanwhile, the IEBC has launched Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) across the country, effective Monday, 29 September 2025. The ongoing exercise allows eligible citizens aged 18 and above to register for the first time, update personal details, transfer polling stations, or verify their registration information. 

Applicants must hold a valid Kenyan ID or passport, have no election-related convictions within the last five years, and be of sound mind. Services are available at all IEBC Constituency Offices, except in areas currently conducting by-elections.