(NAIROBI, KENYA) – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has been cleared to proceed with a KES 6.5 billion ($50.8 million) election technology tender after the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) dismissed a challenge by a losing bidder.
The board also ordered Leading Edge Limited to pay the respondents KES 2 million ($15,600) as costs of the case.
The tender covers an integrated election management system, its equipment, technical support and maintenance, as part of preparations for the 2027 general election.
Leading Edge had challenged the tender terms, the application deadline and the financial criteria, arguing they were too strict and could lock out companies with relevant experience.
The company also wanted IEBC to extend the tender period and recognise the experience of firms that have implemented large digital systems, including identity, passport and citizen registration databases.
IEBC said experience with other digital systems does not directly demonstrate the capacity to manage election technology. It also defended the need for a single supplier to keep contractual responsibility clear.
The board said Leading Edge did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that changes made to the tender documents affected its right to the extent that the tender should be stopped.
It however criticised IEBC for not using clear language on the preference for local companies.
The dispute followed earlier complaints by Galadirel Investments Limited, which led IEBC to revise the tender after the board found faults in the technical specifications and evaluation criteria.
The board has now directed the IEBC accounting officer to proceed with the tender to its conclusion in line with the law.