Kalonzo raised the issue on Saturday, January 10, 2026, while speaking at the funeral of the late Mzee Jonathan Kiilu Ng’ata in Kyuluni Village, Kathiani Constituency, Machakos County.
Addressing mourners and local leaders, the former Vice President expressed concern over what he described as rushed and questionable decisions made by the electoral body.
According to Kalonzo, the decision to renew Smartmatic’s contract was made at a time when the IEBC had no commissioners in office.
He faulted CEO Hussein Marjan for moving ahead with the process without broader consultation or oversight, saying such actions undermined public confidence in the electoral system.
“We agreed that the CEO of IEBC is called Marjan,” Kalonzo said.
“When there was no commission, he moved with a lot of speed and brought in a company called Smartmatic and renewed their contract. Those are the people who stole Raila’s votes.”
Kalonzo argued that the KIEMS kits and the systems used during the 2022 election remain a sensitive issue for many Kenyans, especially those who believe the election was not conducted fairly.
He said renewing the contract without resolving past concerns only deepens mistrust in the electoral process.
The Wiper leader warned that credibility issues at the IEBC could pose serious challenges ahead of future elections if not addressed early.
He called for transparency, accountability, and proper procedures in all decisions involving election technology and suppliers.
Kalonzo also urged leaders to protect democratic institutions, saying elections should be managed in a way that leaves no doubt about the will of the people.
He stressed that electoral reforms must be taken seriously to avoid repeating past controversies.
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