Former IEBC CEO James Oswago Claims Commissioners Are Unprepared for 2027 Elections
Kenya might be racing toward another election disaster in 2027.
Former IEBC CEO James Oswago has raised serious concerns about the electoral commission’s readiness, calling out the ongoing recruitment of new commissioners as rushed and reckless.
During a candid discussion on Spice FM, Oswago did not mince his words.
“If you ask me, never should you ask an individual to run an election who has not had a minimum of two years of preparation, particularly as a commissioner,” he said.
According to him, proper preparation is key — and currently lacking.
“You Learn By Doing!”
“An election is run by a process of apprenticeship and incrementalism. You learn by doing the job,” he explained.
“So picking up a newbie who has never run an election and then asking them to do so the next day is not the way it is done.”
That, he believes, is the very reason Kenya has suffered botched elections repeatedly.
Commissioners Need Time – Not Just Tech Teams
Although Oswago admitted that IEBC has capable technical staff, he insisted that commissioners must still play a central role.
“Despite having a capable technical staff below the directing level who can deal with technical issues, the commissioners must be involved… to provide guidance, oversight, strategy, and supervision.”
Time, he stressed, is not on Kenya’s side.
With less than two years left before the next general elections, the former CEO believes Kenya risks repeating past electoral mistakes.
Interviews Almost Over – Is It Too Late?
His remarks come just days before the IEBC commissioner interviews conclude on Friday, April 25.
So far, the selection panel, chaired by Nelson Makanda, has interviewed 11 candidates for chairperson and 105 for commissioner positions.
But Oswago warns that it’s not about numbers. It’s about preparedness.
Focus on Credibility, Not Speed
Kenya, Oswago cautioned, must prioritize legitimacy over haste. He fears that without proper groundwork, the 2027 elections could lack credibility—further eroding public trust in the electoral process.
“We have done this before several times in Kenya and have always failed,” he concluded grimly.
As the panel prepares to forward names to President William Ruto for final approval and gazettement, the question lingers: will these new leaders have enough time to prepare—or is Kenya gambling with democracy again?
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Former IEBC CEO James Oswago Claims Commissioners Are Unprepared for 2027 Elections
