NAIROBI, Kenya - An integrity crisis has erupted within Kenya's political establishment after the Chairperson of the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC), Evans James Misati, was formally accused of soliciting a Sh4 million bribe to secure a seat on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The allegations were made in a formal complaint filed on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, with the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties.

The petitioner, Ahmed Takoy, a Kenyan professional working in international development, alleges that Mr. Misati leveraged his position as a member of the IEBC selection panel to demand the payment in March 2025. In his letter, Mr. Takoy claims Misati promised to guarantee his appointment as an IEBC commissioner. “Mr. Msati personally solicited Sh4 million from me in exchange for my guarantee that my name be included as he said I meet all the requirements and perform well in the interview,” the letter states.

When the appointment did not materialize, Mr. Takoy claims he requested a refund, after which Misati allegedly blocked his phone number. The complaint was lodged as Mr. Misati seeks re-election for the PPLC chairmanship, with elections scheduled for Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Implications for Electoral Integrity

The allegations cast a dark shadow over the credibility of the IEBC selection process and the PPLC, a critical body established under the Political Parties Act of 2011. The PPLC's primary mandate is to provide a platform for dialogue between political parties, the Registrar, and the IEBC to ensure free and fair elections. The presence of its chairperson on the panel that vets and selects electoral commissioners is intended to build trust in the process. These accusations of corruption strike at the very heart of that mandate.

The IEBC selection panel, appointed in January 2025, concluded its interviews for commissioners in April 2025 after a month-long public vetting process. The allegations surrounding Mr. Misati's conduct during this period raise significant questions about the potential for illicit influence in the appointment of officials to one of Kenya's most sensitive institutions.

Calls for Investigation and Accountability

In his complaint, Mr. Takoy described the alleged actions as “solicitation and attempted extortion” and stated his intention to report the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) upon his return to Kenya. “Mr. Msati's actions not only constitute criminal misconduct but also severely tarnish the image of the PPLC,” Takoy wrote, adding that his re-election would “further erode the credibility of your institution.”

The EACC is the primary body in Kenya for investigating corruption and economic crimes. Recent reports indicate the EACC has been actively pursuing high-profile graft cases, though it has faced challenges with prosecution. Mr. Takoy has demanded a full refund and requested an opportunity to present his evidence before the PPLC Plenary.

As of Wednesday evening, 9:51 PM EAT, Mr. Misati had not publicly responded to the allegations. Attempts by Streamline News to reach Mr. Misati, the PPLC, and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties for comment were unsuccessful by the time of publication. This story is developing, and the response from Kenya's integrity and electoral institutions will be critical in the coming days.