By SANDRA MULOMI
Questions are being raised over the transfer of more than 20 senior county election officials by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), with critics linking the changes to preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The transfers, contained in a circular signed by Acting IEBC Chief Executive Officer and Commission Secretary Ruth Kulundu, affect senior election officials who have been moved from their current stations to different counties across the country.
The changes come less than a year before the August 10, 2027 General Election and days after the electoral agency formally set the polling date.
The reshuffle has attracted scrutiny because some of the officers have been moved from one region to another, with critics questioning the rationale behind particular postings and whether the changes could have implications for the administration of the next election.
Among those transferred is Beatrice Muli, who moves from Kiambu to Taita-Taveta, while Hudson Salenoi has been moved from Vihiga to Turkana.
Rebecca Abwaku has been transferred from Homa Bay to Trans Nzoia, while Reuben Mbuu moves from Makueni to Kitui. Amosi Chilai has been transferred from Nairobi to Kakamega.
Japheth Lagat moves from Trans Nzoia to West Pokot, while Grace Anyang has been transferred from Migori to Kericho.
Husna Hassa moves from Mombasa to Kilifi, while Zahara Hassan has been transferred from Mandera to Wajir. Sheikh Abdi, who was serving in Wajir, has been moved to Garissa.
Engor Emmanuel moves from Turkana to Narok, while Frank Boinet has been transferred from Elgeyo-Marakwet to Baringo.
Sidney Namulungu moves from Kericho to Marsabit, while John Mwangi has been transferred from Baringo to Kirinyaga. Saumu Chirchir moves from Murang’a to Bomet.
Koskey is also listed in the changes involving Elgeyo-Marakwet, although the available details do not specify the officer’s new station. Reports have put the overall number of affected senior county election officials at more than 20.
The transfers have prompted questions over whether the deployment pattern could influence perceptions of impartiality, particularly because election officials at county level play an important role in coordinating electoral operations.
Critics have drawn attention to what they describe as transfers involving officers from areas where President William Ruto and his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have significant political support to counties where the President and his political allies have traditionally faced stronger opposition.
They have also questioned the deployment of some officers perceived to come from Ruto’s wider ethnic community to regions where his political support is comparatively weaker.
However, no evidence has been presented establishing that ethnicity or political affiliation was used as a criterion in making the latest transfers.
The IEBC has maintained that the changes are part of its normal administrative processes and are not politically motivated.
IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon has dismissed suggestions that the transfers were linked to political considerations or concerns over the integrity of individual officers.
According to the commission, the changes are intended to fill vacancies, deploy newly promoted officers and strengthen its field structure as it prepares for the 2027 election.
Ethekon said the movement of personnel followed recruitment of new county election officers to replace staff who had retired, died or left the commission for other reasons.
The IEBC has previously defended the transfer of election officials as a normal administrative procedure. In a previous statement, the commission said it deploys its returning officers to different parts of the country and that the objective is to ensure electoral staff serve with impartiality and integrity.
The latest reshuffle comes as the commission intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls.
The IEBC has already activated its election calendar, while preparations are underway in areas including voter registration, electoral technology, procurement, voter education and security planning.
The commission is also projecting an increase in the number of polling stations from 46,229 in 2022 to about 55,393 in 2027, largely because of the legal requirement limiting the number of voters per polling station to 700.
The movement of county election officials therefore comes at a particularly sensitive stage, with political parties, candidates and civil society organisations expected to closely monitor decisions affecting the electoral machinery.
For the IEBC, the challenge will be to demonstrate that personnel decisions are based on transparent and consistent administrative criteria and that the officers deployed to the counties can discharge their responsibilities independently.
The commission has repeatedly stated that its mandate is to safeguard the credibility of elections and that its officials must operate impartially.
With the 2027 General Election less than a year away, the latest transfers are likely to remain under scrutiny as political parties and other stakeholders assess every administrative decision affecting the country’s electoral preparations.
