Oswago: Kenya risks repeating election mistakes without reforms
Former IEBC CEO James Oswago has warned that Kenya risks repeating past election failures unless the country reforms its electoral funding and technology procurement processes. He specifically criticized the high costs of repeatedly purchasing new voting equipment every five years.
Why it matters
The critique highlights systemic issues in electoral governance and fiscal management that impact the credibility and sustainability of democratic processes in developing nations.
Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer James Oswago has called for a national conversation on how Kenya funds, prepares for and conducts elections, warning the country risks repeating the same mistakes every five years. Speaking on Spice FM on Tuesday, August 11, Oswago questioned the rising cost of elections and the huge sums required by the IEBC ahead of the 2027 General Election. The commission has requested Sh74.8 billion for the three-year electoral cycle. The National Treasury has allocated Sh41.3 billion, leaving a significant funding gap. The easiest way to manipulate any institution is to starve it of funds, Oswago observed. Parliament should not simply determine what the IEBC receives without considering what the commission requires to conduct a credible election, he added.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in