Muturi warns MPs over delayed electoral reforms, says inaction could imperil 2027 vote

Jukwaa

📻 Breaking It Down

Muturi said unresolved questions surrounding electoral technology, procurement and intellectual-property rights could erode public confidence in the electoral process if they are not settled before preparations for the next election enter their final stages.

He accused Parliament of failing to learn from the unrest that followed the 2023 protests, saying the deaths recorded during that period should compel State institutions to address weaknesses exposed in the electoral framework.

“In 2023, Kenyans took to the streets demanding, among other things, accountability and clarity on issues surrounding electoral technology and intellectual-property rights, and nearly 100 lives were lost in the ensuing unrest,” Muturi said.

📌 What You Need to Know

He said the loss of lives should not be treated as a statistic and warned that allowing similar legal uncertainties to persist ahead of the 2027 election could trigger a more serious crisis.

He highlighted the Elections (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which he said had been passed by the Senate and transmitted to the National Assembly but remains pending as the country moves closer to the next General Election.

“This is not routine parliamentary procrastination; in my considered view, it amounts to electoral sabotage,” Muturi said.

He singled out National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and MPs, whom he urged to ensure the pending amendments are tabled, debated and concluded without further delay.

Muturi argued that clarity in the law was critical to the preparedness of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), particularly on procurement and the acquisition and use of electoral technology.

He warned that unresolved legal questions could complicate procurement decisions and expose the electoral body to disputes at a time when it should be concentrating on preparations for the 2027 poll.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya

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