Former Chief Justice and presidential aspirant David Maraga has called for electoral reforms that would limit the role of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson to aggregating presidential election results already declared at constituency level.
Maraga said the proposed changes would allow the IEBC Chairperson to consolidate results that have been publicly declared and live-streamed from all 290 constituencies and the diaspora, arguing that the approach would strengthen transparency and public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement, Maraga cited Article 138 of the Constitution, which outlines the procedure for electing and declaring the President of Kenya, as he advocated for reforms aimed at making presidential election results independently verifiable by citizens.
“Article 138 of our Constitution is clear on how a President is declared,” Maraga said.
The former Chief Justice also backed proposals by the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, which is calling for amendments to preserve the IEBC Chairperson’s role as an aggregator of results rather than one that could undermine transparency in the declaration process.
“The People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms proposes amendments that keep the IEBC Chair to that role: aggregating results already declared and live-streamed in 290 constituencies and the diaspora,” he stated.
Maraga maintained that Kenyans should be able to verify election results for themselves, emphasising the need for an electoral system that promotes accountability and openness.
“Kenyans deserve an election they can verify themselves,” he added.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate over proposed changes to Kenya’s electoral laws, particularly provisions governing the transmission, verification and declaration of presidential election results ahead of the 2027 General Election.
