IEBC’s Sh7 Billion Iris Recognition Plan Faces Security and Transparency Concerns

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing increasing scrutiny over its planned use of new election technology ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general elections, following concerns about security, transparency, and data protection.

The commission’s proposed Sh7 billion upgrade, which includes the introduction of iris recognition for voter identification, has prompted criticism from civil society groups, cybersecurity experts, and political leaders. A formal petition from Nakuru-based activist Laban Omusundi is calling on the IEBC to publicly disclose the current security status of its systems and to work with independent international experts throughout the electoral cycle.  

He also recommends that the commission issue regular updates on any security breaches to strengthen public trust in the process. Political leaders have supported these concerns. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka recently stressed that any electoral technology must uphold the credibility of the vote. Speaking in Nairobi, he said that technological innovation must not come at the expense of free, fair, and verifiable elections.

The IEBC resumed continuous voter registration on 29 September, announcing its use of iris scanning technology. According to IEBC technology expert Godfrey Ngunyi, iris recognition offers a more stable biometric identifier than fingerprints, which can become unreliable due to wear and tear over time. The commission argues that this change will improve the accuracy of voter identification on election day.

However, cybersecurity analysts have warned that without strong protections, advanced technology could be vulnerable to interference. Forensic and cybersecurity expert Thomas Chiteri urged the IEBC to work closely with regulatory bodies such as the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that voter data is secure and systems are resistant to tampering.

Public reaction on social media has reflected widespread concern, with users raising questions about the reliability of voter identification kits, referencing past technical failures in previous elections. The use of iris data has also raised privacy issues, with calls for the IEBC to clarify how biometric data will be stored, protected, and managed.

In response, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has said that the commission’s systems are secure and protected against tampering. He assured the public in a recent interview that the new technology set for deployment in 2027 is safe from hacking attempts.