Infotrak: More Women Than Men Do Not Trust IEBC
61 per cent of women in Kenya believe that the IEBC lacks transparency, compared to 58 per cent of men.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
A new survey by Infotrak Research and Consulting has revealed that more women than men have doubts about their confidence in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), expected to take charge of the 2027 general elections which is three years away.
According to the survey, whose report was released on Monday, December 16, 61 per cent of women in Kenya believe that the IEBC lacks transparency, compared to 58 per cent of men.
The survey sought to determine if IEBC could be trusted with, among others, conducting free and fair elections in 2027. Only 26 per cent of Kenyans believe that the electoral body will oversee free, fair, and transparent elections in 2027, with 54 per cent expressing otherwise and 21 per cent unsure.
An equal 47 per cent of both men and women express that the IEBC has corrupt officials, thus denting their confidence in the country's premier electoral commission.
Infotrak CEO, Angela Ambitho during a past media briefing. /X
47 per cent of women believe that the IEBC is mired by past irregularities compared to 46 per cent of men. The pendulum however swings in favour of men as 20 per cent of them believe that the commission lacks independence and/or has influence from the government, compared to 18 per cent of women.
Generally, 60 per cent of Kenyans believe the IEBC lacks transparency, with 47 per cent of Kenyans citing corrupt officials and past irregularities. 19 per cent termed a lack of independence and influence from the government as reasons for lacking confidence in IEBC.
Presenting the results of the survey conducted between November 16 and 30, Infotrak CEO Angela Ambitho revealed that Kenyans interviewed cited external interference as their major concern in terms of challenges facing the IEBC, at 39 per cent.
The poll also found that 38 per cent of Kenyans fear that the agency will not deliver due to corruption, while 38 per cent see the lack of IEBC commissioners as a major issue.
"The 26 per cent that believe that IEBC can conduct a free and fair election because IEBC is an independent body. 42 per cent of them also said that there is improved transparency from IEBC," Ambitho announced.
High mistrust was registered in poll participants from Eastern, Central, North Eastern, Nyanza, Western and Nairobi. The survey supported by the Electoral Law and Governance Institute in Africa found that the apathy level which stands at 50 per cent likely to hinder democratic space and governance is not addressed.
Similarly, the poll revealed that 41 per cent of Kenyans lack identification cards, an issue that is likely to prevent them from registering as voters come 2027.
At the same time, 16 per cent of those interviewed cited a busy schedule for not participating in the last general polls in 2022.
The opinion poll also found that 75 per cent of Kenyans across all the regions have not been involved in any public participation denying them a voice to make key decisions in the country.
According to the pollster, 51 per cent of Kenyans are most concerned about the cost of living, 36 per cent about unemployment, 24 per cent about corruption levels in the country and 23 per cent about over-taxation and migration from NHIF to SHIF.
However, the poll also touched on the trust issue among key government institutions with the Executive and National Assembly leading with 37 per cent, followed by police at 33 per cent. Some 2,400 respondents were interviewed in the survey conducted across all 47 counties.
IEBC is yet to be constituted given the controversy and political push and pull over the selection panel. The electoral body currently has no commissioners, hence, it cannot conduct any elections or by-elections in the country.
