The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially received a landmark proposal that could mark the most significant shift in Kenya’s electoral process since independence — the introduction of a blockchain-based voting system.
During a high-level meeting attended by IEBC commissioners led by Chairman Erastus Ethukon, representatives from the Canadian High Commission, and various diplomatic and tech stakeholders, John C.W. and his team of blockchain evangelists presented DeVote EMS, a blockchain-powered election management system, and unveiled a detailed proposal to digitize and secure Kenya’s elections.
John C.W., Founder of Share the Love Center, addressing stakeholders in the blockchain and electoral tech space.
A Digital Remedy to a Flawed Electoral Past
Kenya’s electoral history has long been marred by irregularities, technical failures, ballooning budgets, and waning public trust. The 2022 General Election cost taxpayers KSh 44.6 billion, with significant funds allocated to ballot printing, transportation, and logistical coordination across the country. Persistent issues — from KIEMS kit failures to delayed results announcements — have contributed to a decline in voter confidence, particularly among the youth and diaspora communities.
Peter Kibaki founder of Yet kenya LTD during the presentation of the blockchain voting system
DeVote EMS is positioning itself as the fix. The system’s architects claim it could cut electoral costs by up to 80%, reduce result tallying time from days to mere seconds, and restore transparency through cryptographic vote verification and public audit trails.
How It Works
DeVote EMS is designed to digitize the entire electoral process:
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Voter registration will incorporate biometric data, anchored on blockchain verification.
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Candidate onboarding will be digitally timestamped and verified.
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Voting day will feature encrypted ballot casting and instant, verifiable voter receipts.
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Tallying and results will be instant, with public-facing dashboards and independent audit access.
A hybrid model combining both digital and paper trails is also part of the framework to address legal requirements and ensure redundancy.
IEBC chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekonduring the presentation of the blockchain voting system
Enhancing Transparency, Inclusion, and Cost-Efficiency
One of the key promises of the DeVote EMS platform is its potential to expand access for diaspora voters, whose participation remains limited due to logistical and legal constraints. The platform also offers secure mobile voting, particularly useful for remote or underserved regions.
The developers project that the cost per voter could drop from KSh 2,000 to KSh 1,200, a substantial saving in a country with over 22 million registered voters. The platform also offers real-time monitoring tools for media, civil society, and international observers.
Safeguards and Oversight
The proposal includes provisions for independent cybersecurity audits, forensic monitoring, and real-time data transparency. The developers emphasized that legal alignment with Parliament would be necessary before a full-scale rollout and proposed a series of mock elections and training programs for IEBC staff and the public.
Why It Matters
Kenya’s election budget for 2027 is projected to hit KSh 61.7 billion, a 39% increase from the last cycle. With rising costs and eroding voter trust, the IEBC is under pressure to adopt reforms that are both cost-effective and credible.
If adopted, DeVote EMS would make Kenya one of the first countries in Africa — and potentially the world — to implement a full-scale blockchain-based voting system, setting a precedent for other democracies struggling with election credibility.
The IEBC is expected to review the proposal in detail and determine the next steps, including stakeholder consultations, legislative reviews, and possible pilot programs ahead of the 2027 General Election.
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