Parliament Tightens Election Laws With Tougher Penalties for Malpractice

Nairobi, August 15, 2025 — The National Assembly has passed the Elections Offences (Amendment) Bill, introducing stiff penalties for electoral malpractice ahead of upcoming by-elections.

Under the amendments, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials who deliberately delay, alter, or falsify election results now face up to Ksh 5 million in fines or five years in prison.

Expanded Offences

The new law also:

• Criminalises the dissemination of false statements about candidates.

• Prohibits the misuse of technology during voting, transmission, and tallying.

• Holds officials accountable for failures in timely results transmission.

Closing Loopholes

Lawmakers said the reforms were designed to seal gaps identified in past elections and prevent manipulation of results. The National Dialogue Committee pushed for tougher accountability after repeated disputes over delayed announcements and irregular tallying.

While the IEBC had previously argued that logistical hurdles — such as school calendars interfering with polling station availability — contributed to delays, MPs insisted the commission must guarantee efficiency and integrity in its operations.

Implications

Once signed into law, the amendments will compel the IEBC to:

• Ensure swift and transparent vote transmission.

• Safeguard the integrity of electronic systems.

• Face direct prosecution for deliberate malpractice.

The move signals Parliament’s intention to restore public trust in Kenya’s electoral system, which has long been dogged by credibility concerns and disputes over vote handling.