Voter Files Petition to Block IEBC’s Preparations for 2027 Elections

Kenya, 29 October 2025 - As Kenya edges closer to the 2027 general election, a new petition has thrown the country’s electoral readiness into question, once again.

On Tuesday, voter Bernard Mwanzia filed a High Court petition seeking to halt all preparations by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), arguing that the commission’s current operations violate the Constitution and risk producing a flawed election.

The petition adds another layer to a long-running saga of delays, leadership wrangles and public distrust that have shadowed the electoral body since the 2022 polls.

“You cannot build credible elections on shaky foundations,” Mr Mwanzia’s lawyer told reporters outside the Milimani Law Courts.

“Until governance issues are resolved, proceeding with preparations is unconstitutional.”

Unfinished Business: By-Elections and Boundaries

At the heart of the crisis are dozens of pending by-elections, from ward to constituency level, that have never been held since seats fell vacant. According to electoral law, these should occur within 90 days, yet the vacancies persist, leaving thousands without representation.

Analysts say the delayed reconstitution of the IEBC, compounded by budget shortfalls and political interference, has slowed critical groundwork such as voter registration and boundary reviews.

Rising Political Temperatures

The timing couldn’t be more sensitive. Across the country, political alliances are shifting, and parties are already in campaign mode, with rallies, endorsements and whispers of new coalitions dominating the national conversation.

The European Union and local governance groups have also flagged concerns about Kenya’s preparedness, warning that administrative uncertainty could erode public trust just when confidence is most needed.

The Bigger Picture

Kenya’s democracy has often been tested by contested elections.

From the post-2007 crisis to the repeat presidential poll in 2017, the IEBC’s credibility has been at the centre of the storm, and many fear history could repeat itself.

The High Court is expected to hear the petition next week.

Meanwhile, IEBC officials maintain they are working under the law and will continue technical preparations.

But with time slipping away and political temperatures rising, Kenya’s electoral clock is ticking loudly, and the countdown to 2027 has never felt more uncertain.