By WMW
Leader of the Democratic Party of Kenya, Justin Muturi, has called for the immediate resignation of Moses Ledama Sunkuli, citing serious concerns over the integrity of the voter registration system managed by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
In a statement, Muturi raised alarm over what he described as unexplained alterations in voter records, pointing to a case involving his driver, Bernard Munene wa Gatama. According to Muturi, Gatama was initially registered at Kavengero Polling Station in 2012 but was later transferred to Newsite Kiambere in Mbeere South without his knowledge or consent.
Muturi who has formerly served as the Speaker of the National Assembly, Attorney General and Cabinet Secretary repeated the claims during public meetings in Kitui county where he joined opposition leaders for citizens engagements.
The change reportedly rendered him ineligible to vote in the recent Mbeere North by-election.
Muturi questioned how such changes could occur without the voter’s involvement, warning that the incident reflects deeper systemic flaws in voter data management and transparency within the electoral body.
“This is not an isolated case but part of a broader pattern of discrepancies in voter records, including unexplained changes in polling station allocations,” he said.
He noted that concerns over voter registration, data management, and transparency have been raised for over a year by political parties, civil society groups, and citizens, but accused the IEBC of failing to act decisively.
He argued that the earlier resignation of former IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein did not adequately address the underlying challenges facing the commission.
Ultimatum and reform demands
Muturi issued a 14-day ultimatum to the IEBC to convene a National Electoral Consultative Forum bringing together key stakeholders, including political parties, religious leaders, civil society organisations, independent ICT experts, and the media, to address the concerns.
He also called for an independent audit of the voter register and the commission’s digital systems, insisting that the process should include full public disclosure of safeguards governing voter registration kits.
Additionally, he urged the electoral body to establish a transparent and accessible mechanism that would allow citizens to verify and correct their voter details, a move he said is critical in restoring public confidence.
“If the IEBC fails to act within the stipulated period, I will initiate lawful and constitutional measures to compel accountability,” Muturi warned.
Growing scrutiny on IEBC
The latest remarks add to mounting scrutiny facing the IEBC as Kenya prepares for future electoral processes. Analysts say the credibility of the voter register remains central to the integrity of elections and overall national stability.
Election observers have previously highlighted the need for continuous audit and verification of voter data to prevent irregularities, particularly in an era of digital voter management systems.
While the IEBC has in the past maintained that its systems are secure and regularly updated, stakeholders continue to call for greater transparency and public participation in electoral processes.
Muturi emphasized that electoral credibility must not be compromised, warning that failure to address the issues could erode public trust in democratic institutions.
“The era of casual handling of electoral matters must come to an end,” he said, underscoring the urgency of reforms ahead of the next electoral cycle.