The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), led by CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, faced the National Assembly Committee on Implementation Status of House Resolutions to address serious concerns raised by the Auditor General’s reports and the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding its financial management. These revelations expose a distressing pattern of accountability and governance challenges within an institution fundamental to Kenya’s democracy. The IEBC stands at the core of the nation’s electoral processes, and its financial integrity and operational transparency are vital foundations for public confidence in election outcomes. However, unresolved issues such as outstanding receivables inherited from the defunct Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), unclear ownership and valuation of IEBC motor vehicles, untitled land and buildings, undisclosed inventories, and large pending bills from significant election years reveal systemic problems in the Commission’s asset management and reporting standards. These challenges suggest not only poor internal controls and inadequate record-keeping but raise the specter of neglect in managing public resources entrusted to the Commission.
The failure to properly title the Commission’s land and buildings presents risks beyond potential financial losses, threatening the IEBC’s autonomy and operational security. Such lapses are especially critical in an electoral environment where credibility is fragile and the insistence on robust governance structures is paramount. The IEBC’s core mandate to administer elections free from bias and error obliges it to uphold the highest standards of internal governance. Yet, delays in regularizing ownership and clearing outstanding financial accounts paint a picture of institutional vulnerability, imperiling public trust if left unaddressed.
Beyond these operational weaknesses, the Commission continues to face broader structural and funding difficulties. The IEBC Fund, designed by law to provide an independent and steady flow of electoral financing, remains dormant, forcing reliance on erratic quarterly disbursements from the National Treasury. This funding model undermines the Commission’s ability to plan effectively and respond swiftly to electoral demands. Budgetary allocations have often been insufficient, further exacerbating operational inefficiencies highlighted in election preparations, including those for the 2022 general elections. Moreover, the statutory requirement for annually audited financial statements has been hampered by weak record-keeping and delayed reporting, raising questions about transparency and accountability that extend beyond IEBC itself to reflect ongoing challenges in Kenya’s broader public financial management environment.
These multi-layered challenges demand urgent and comprehensive reforms. The IEBC must move decisively to operationalize the IEBC Fund, establish secure and transparent asset ownership, and improve financial management controls. Adequate and predictable budgeting aligned with electoral timelines is essential, alongside fostering a culture of accountability that restores public faith in the institution. Strengthened governance and oversight mechanisms are critical to prevent recurrence of prior lapses and to safeguard the Commission’s independence and credibility.
The health of Kenya’s democracy hinges on credible elections overseen by an accountable and well-managed IEBC. The issues exposed should serve as a catalyst for all stakeholders—including the government, Parliament, civil society, and the public—to renew their commitment to institutional reforms. Only by addressing these deep-rooted governance and financial management shortcomings can the IEBC fully meet its constitutional mandate and uphold the democratic ideals Kenya strives to achieve. The electorate deserves a Commission that embodies transparency and responsibility as fervently as it administers the electoral process itself. Failure to meet these standards risks not only the Commission’s institutional integrity but also the democratic dividends that Kenya’s citizens so rightly demand.
James’ Kilonzo Bwire is a Media and communication practitioner.
