The United Opposition in Kenya plans legal action against former IEBC CEO Hussein Marjan following his resignation. The legal challenge stems from decisions Marjan made before the commission was fully reconstituted, which the opposition claims were unlawful, particularly regarding the extension of Smartmatic International’s contract for election kits.

• Advocate Ndegwa Njiru announced the impending legal action against Marjan on Spice FM.
• The primary point of contention is Marjan’s decision to extend Smartmatic International’s contract for supplying KIEMS kits.
• IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon stated Marjan’s exit was a mutually agreed separation.
• Opposition leaders accuse Marjan of mismanaging the 2017 and 2022 elections, both of which resulted in Supreme Court disputes.
• The opposition has formed a technical committee to push for electoral reforms and ensure transparency in appointing Marjan’s successor.

Marjan Hussein Marjan has resigned as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after serving since 2015. His resignation was announced without detailed reasons but followed consultations within the commission.

• Marjan Hussein Marjan served as CEO of IEBC since 2015.
• His resignation comes amid pressure on the IEBC regarding preparations for the next general election.
• He was responsible for overseeing election management and commission operations.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is launching a nationwide voter registration drive in March 2026, aiming to register five million new voters, primarily targeting young people. To boost participation, the commission will introduce a digital pre-registration platform.

• IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon stated that only about 200,000 Kenyans are currently registered.
• The IEBC requires an additional Sh22 billion to successfully conduct the 2027 General Election.
• The commission is engaging Parliament on legal reforms to meet the two-thirds gender rule, with proposed laws expected to be fast-tracked within four months.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is set to launch a new digital platform to boost voter registration ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly targeting young, tech-savvy Kenyans. Despite this, physical attendance for fingerprint capture will still be mandatory for full registration.

• The IEBC aims to register over six million new voters before the next general elections.
• IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon announced the platform, which will offer a preregistration form before physical verification.
• The initiative seeks to address low youth voter turnout, including Gen Z, and follows calls from civil society groups for digital registration.
• Despite prior continuous voter registration efforts since September 2025, the IEBC recorded a low turnout, with only approximately 200,000 new voters registered initially.
• A nationwide mass voter registration drive at ward levels is planned for March 2026 to further sensitize voters due to ongoing low turnout at constituency levels.