Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has criticised calls by a section of the opposition to abolish the national presidential tallying centre ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at Topa Market in Mumias West during the disbursement of KSh4 million in Social Protection Grants to vulnerable community groups from Etenje, Musanda, Mumias Central and Mumias North wards, Barasa said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) should be allowed to perform its constitutional mandate without political interference.
“The IEBC should be allowed to discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate without political interference,” Barasa said.
The Governor cited Article 138 of the Constitution, which provides the framework for the conduct and declaration of presidential election results.
He particularly pointed to Article 138(3)(c), which provides that after votes are counted at polling stations, the IEBC shall tally and verify the count before declaring the presidential election result.
“Article 138 provides the framework for the conduct and declaration of presidential election results. We should allow the IEBC to undertake its responsibilities within the constitutional framework,” he said.
Photo|Governor Fernandes Barasa during the issuance of Funds
Barasa was responding to a proposal by the People’s Coalition on Electoral Reforms, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, to abolish the national presidential tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya.
The Governor urged political actors to avoid prescribing how the electoral process should be conducted ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying the electoral commission should be given room to execute its responsibilities as provided for by law.
The remarks come as debate over Kenya’s electoral framework intensifies ahead of the 2027 polls, with political actors pushing different proposals on the tallying, verification and declaration of presidential results.