IEBC Responds to Claims of Missing Voter Details in Digital Register, Explains Cause
- The IEBC came under intense public scrutiny after its voter verification portal suddenly went offline over the weekend
- The commission later explained the cause of the downtime, linking it to major preparations ahead of 2027
- The development sparked unease, given its timing just two years before the 2027 General Election and amid changes in IEBC leadership
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
There was a flurry of concern across social media on Sunday, July 6, when Kenyans trying to verify their voter details found the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) portal unresponsive.
Source: Getty Images
The timing, barely two years before the next general election, only heightened public anxiety.
According to online complaints seen by TUKO.co.ke, users across the country reported that they could not access their voter credentials through the IEBC's verification portal.
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Instead of confirming their records, many were met with error messages like “search not found.”
Screenshots of the portal’s malfunctioning homepage quickly began circulating online, prompting a wave of speculation and concern.
Why did IEBC’s voter verification portal go dark?
In response, the electoral body issued an unsigned statement later the same day, clarifying that the portal was offline due to scheduled system maintenance.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) wishes to inform the public that it is currently undertaking a scheduled system maintenance on its voter verification portal,” the statement read.
According to the IEBC, the upgrade is part of a broader plan to migrate its systems to a new digital infrastructure.
The goal, it said, is to improve system performance, strengthen security, and deliver more efficient services to the public ahead of the 2027 polls.
The commission was categorical that the integrity of the voter register remains intact.
“We wish to assure Kenyans that the registration details of the 22,120,458 registered voters, as recorded in the 2022 General Election, remain intact and secure,” the statement assured, countering fears of data loss or tampering.
Has IEBC voter register been tampered with?
The commission apologised for the inconvenience and promised further communication in the coming days.
“We highly regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding as we work towards serving you better. We will promptly communicate once the system is fully operational and ready for verification of voter details,” the IEBC added.
The commission encouraged Kenyans to follow its verified platforms for updates to avoid falling for misinformation.
However, the IEBC’s attempt to assure the public did little to calm growing suspicion, especially given the broader context.
The country is in a sensitive pre-electoral period, with the commission undergoing internal changes, including the appointment of new commissioners and a new chairperson—developments that have already drawn controversy.
Source: Getty Images
Does IEBC have a new chairperson?
In a related development, President William Ruto officially appointed a new team to the IEBC on Tuesday, June 10.
Erastus Ethekon Edung was named chairperson of the commission, which also includes six commissioners who are set to serve for six years.
The appointed commissioners are Ann Njeri Nderitu, Moses Alutalala Mukhwana, Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The team was gazetted but faces a host of issues surrounding their swearing-in.
The appointments came amid legal challenges filed in the High Court by activist Boniface Mwangi and voter Kevin Omondi. The petition questioned the transparency and constitutionality of the recruitment process.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
