Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has threatened to take legal action against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over what he termed as a lack of transparency in preparations for the 2027 Kenyan General Election.
Speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on Thursday, March 5, Muturi accused the electoral body of delaying the gazetting of polling stations for the next national polls. According to the former Attorney General of Kenya, failure to publicly list the polling centres early could create room for electoral irregularities.
Muturi warned that unless IEBC publishes the official list of polling stations within the next six months, the country risks facing problems such as ghost polling stations and ghost voters.
“I will soon be taking IEBC to court to seek a declaration that the Commission must declare and gazette all polling stations six months before the election to avoid ghost polling stations,” Muturi stated.
Muturi Raises Concerns Over Possible Ghost Polling Stations
Muturi linked his concerns to a recent revelation by Julius Ogamba, the Cabinet Secretary for Education, who admitted that government capitation funds had been disbursed to non-existent schools.
The former Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya argued that the revelation raises serious questions about whether similar irregularities could occur in the electoral system, given that most polling stations are typically located in schools.
“This thing of ghosts is worrying. IEBC has recently announced that they will have about 55,000 polling stations, and usually these polling stations are located in schools,” Muturi explained.
He added that if ghost schools exist within government records, then Kenyans must question whether ghost polling stations could also appear during the election process.
Call for Transparency Before the 2027 Polls
Muturi emphasized that early publication of polling stations would allow citizens, political parties, and election observers to verify and inspect the locations well before the election period.
He revealed that the lawsuit he plans to file would seek a court declaration compelling IEBC to publish and gazette all polling stations at least six months before the election date.
According to Muturi, transparency at this stage is crucial in restoring and maintaining public trust in the electoral process.
IEBC Yet to Respond to Claims
The IEBC, led by chairperson Erastus Ethekon, has not publicly responded to Muturi’s allegations.
However, the Commission previously announced plans to establish about 55,000 polling stations across the country ahead of the 2027 elections as part of its logistical preparations.
Muturi insisted that by February next year, Kenyans should already know the full list of polling stations that will be used during the elections. He further argued that electoral processes should remain transparent and free from secrecy.
“So by February next year we must know all the polling stations. There should be no secrecy about something that directly affects the voting process,” Muturi said.
He also claimed that issues within the voter register remain unresolved, alleging that some deceased individuals could still be listed as voters due to missing death certificates.
Growing Debate Over Election Preparedness
Muturi’s remarks add to growing public debate about Kenya’s preparedness for the next general election. Election transparency, voter register integrity, and polling station verification remain key issues often raised by politicians and civil society groups.
With the 2027 elections still over a year away, calls for early reforms and stronger oversight of electoral preparations are likely to intensify.
If Muturi proceeds with his planned lawsuit, the case could trigger a legal battle that may shape how the electoral body handles transparency and accountability in the lead-up to the next national vote.
