Former Safina Party deputy presidential running mate Willis Otieno has come out to criticise IEBC CEO Hussein Marijan over his proposal to implement a shared broadcast signal for the 2027 General Elections.

In an X post published on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Willis Otieno stated that the commission has no legal mandate to operate or control any broadcast signal.

He argued that the IEBC lacks both the legal and institutional authority to manage or regulate broadcast signals. It is neither a statutory broadcaster nor a media regulator.

Otieno further pointed out that the commission’s constitutional role, as outlined under Article 88 of the Constitution, is to conduct and supervise elections and referenda—not to centralise or filter electoral coverage.

“The IEBC has no legal or institutional mandate to operate or control a broadcast signal. It is not a statutory broadcaster, nor is it a media regulator. Its constitutional function under Article 88 of the Constitution is to conduct and supervise elections and referenda, not to centralise or filter electoral coverage,” Willis said.

This comes after IEBC CEO Hussein Marijan suggested that there should be a shared signal for the broadcast of the 2027 General Elections.

According to the CEO, having different signals and various media stations broadcasting different results to the public might lead to confusion and uncertainty among the Kenyan populace.

This comes just days after the reconstitution of the commission, following the retirement of its chairman in 2023 and the resignation of four commissioners, popularly known as the “Cherera Four”.

With only two years remaining until the next general elections, the electoral commission has now hit the ground running. However, 22 by-elections are yet to be held, with the commission having already surpassed the constitutional timelines for their conduct.

On Tuesday, August 5, DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala took issue with the commission, questioning why it’s taking so long to announce the dates for the by-election, despite them assuring the nation through a presser that they will do so in a week’s time.

He attributed the delay to government interference.