The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) multi-billion-shilling election procurement process is back in the High Court. On 10 September 2026, an application by Oilmax Ventures Ltd was mentioned before Justice Musyoka seeking to stop further steps in one of the commission’s ongoing tenders.
Oilmax is challenging a 3 September 2026 decision of the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) that dismissed its request for review and upheld three mandatory technical evaluation requirements relating to similar experience, financial capacity and financial capability.
Important note on tender numbers: Official IEBC records show that Tender No. IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027 is the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) / election technology tender, while Tender No. IEBC/OIT/02/2026-2027 covers ballot papers, tactile folders, the Register of Voters and statutory result declaration forms. Reporting of the exact tender number under challenge by Oilmax has not been independently verified beyond a single source. Readers should treat the precise tender reference with caution until clarified by the court or IEBC.
What Oilmax Is Seeking
According to the application, the company wants the High Court to:
- Issue an order of certiorari quashing the PPARB decision on the three disputed requirements;
- Stop IEBC from receiving, opening, evaluating, awarding or taking any further step based on those requirements as currently framed;
- Issue an order of mandamus compelling IEBC to reformulate the vendor-capacity criteria so they properly reconcile with mandatory local-content obligations and comply with Articles 10, 27 and 227 of the Constitution and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act;
- Stay the 3 September PPARB decision, including any extension of tender submission and opening dates.
| Disputed Requirement | What it evaluates |
|---|---|
| Similar Experience | Previous technical track record of prospective vendors |
| Financial Capacity | Vendor’s scale of operations and capacity |
| Financial Capability | Monetary liquidity and fiscal backing of bidders |
Background: The Separate Galadirel Ruling (Confirmed)
This Oilmax application follows a separate and clearly documented PPARB decision on 3 September 2026 involving Galadirel Investments Limited and Tender No. IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027 — the main Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS), hardware equipment and accessories tender (the election technology / KIEMS-related procurement).
In that case the Board found material deficiencies in technical specifications, evaluation criteria, standards identification, post-qualification provisions, key personnel requirements and hardware/technology ownership clauses. PPARB ordered IEBC to correct, clarify and amend the tender document, publish a new compliant version, and give prospective bidders at least seven days to respond. The Board declined to cancel the procurement outright.
Why These Disputes Matter
Both tenders form part of IEBC’s preparations for the 10 August 2027 General Election. The technology tender (OIT/01) covers systems and hardware linked to biometric voter identification and results transmission. The materials tender (OIT/02) covers ballot papers and related statutory forms. Prolonged court processes risk delaying acquisition and testing timelines.
Bottom Line
Oilmax Ventures has returned an IEBC procurement dispute to the High Court, challenging three capacity requirements that the PPARB upheld on 3 September. The exact tender number under challenge requires further clarification because official records assign OIT/01 to the election technology system and OIT/02 to ballot papers and election materials.
The separate Galadirel ruling on the confirmed technology tender (OIT/01) remains clear: IEBC must correct and republish that document. The multi-billion-shilling 2027 election procurement process remains under close judicial and public scrutiny.
Sources:
The Eastleigh Voice – Oilmax application (10 September 2026);
IEBC official tender list (OIT/01 = IEMS technology; OIT/02 = ballot papers & materials);
The Star – PPARB orders IEBC to revise IEMS tender (OIT/01);
Capital FM / allAfrica – Galadirel ruling on OIT/01;
Daily Nation.
This article is for information only and is not legal advice. The precise tender number under challenge by Oilmax should be confirmed from court filings or official IEBC clarification.