Plans to introduce remote voting technology for the 2027 General Election have been stalled after the National Treasury ruled them out, citing persistent public mistrust in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and challenges around implementation.
The move was announced in the Draft 2026 Budget Policy Statement (BPS), where the Treasury said the timing and trust deficit could hinder the successful adoption of advanced voting systems that allow voters to cast ballots remotely.
Parliament had earlier recommended in the 2024 BPS that IEBC explore advanced voting technologies to help modernise electoral processes and potentially widen participation.
However, the Treasury’s statement pointed to current low levels of trust in the electoral body as a key barrier to adopting complex tech‑enabled solutions at this stage.
“Current low trust in the IEBC may challenge successful implementation of technology‑supported advanced voting systems that enable eligible voters to cast their ballots remotely,” the draft report states.
Critically, the Treasury’s decision comes as Kenya grapples with electoral credibility issues, including reports from civil society and observer groups that recent by‑elections in late 2025 exposed “deep rot” in electoral administration, including alleged manipulation, intimidation and abuse of state power during polling.
These issues have fed a trust deficit in election management, complicating efforts to introduce digital‑oriented reforms.
The Treasury’s position is also linked to budgetary constraints and funding shortfalls for the electoral body.
IEBC requested KSh 61.74 billion across three financial years (2025/26–2027/28) to support election preparations, including technology and voter registration processes, but Parliament approved significantly less (about KSh 9.33 billion in the current year), forcing a recalibration of priorities.
Under current plans, IEBC projects KSh 25.4 billion for 2026/27 and KSh 21 billion for 2027/28, but uncertainty around boundary reviews and electoral preparations remains.
Underlying the Treasury’s caution is a widespread trust crisis in the IEBC. Recent reports by rights groups and civic watchdogs highlight problems during Kenya’s November 2025 by‑elections, where intimidation, vote manipulation claims and security interference raised serious questions about electoral integrity and administrative capacity, factors that undercut confidence in technology‑based voting solutions.
In response to voter distrust, IEBC officials have publicly defended election security measures, including highlighting stringent ballot safeguards, but those efforts have not fully assuaged public concerns.
Efforts by lawmakers to tighten election offence laws, including penalties for electoral misconduct by officials, reflect broader attempts to restore credibility in electoral processes even as technology reforms are deferred.
The Treasury’s decision signals that technology alone cannot build electoral trust without parallel reforms to institutional credibility, administrative capacity and public confidence in the body that runs elections.
As Kenya approaches the 2027 polls, the debate over electoral reform, including trust in the IEBC, funding adequacy, boundary reviews and voter registration systems, will remain central to political and governance discussions.
The standoff also highlights the tension between innovation goals like remote voting and the political realities of trust and accountability in electoral management, a dynamic that could shape not only Kenya’s democratic processes but also broader public confidence in investment‑related governance outcomes.
