The High Court has temporarily suspended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s (IEBC) decision to proceed with a major elections‑technology tender after Leading Edge Limited filed a judicial review application.

The contested tender, identified as IEBC/OIT/001A/2026–2027, covers supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) and associated hardware.

Leading Edge sought court intervention after the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) dismissed its request for review on 14 October 2026 and ordered the IEBC accounting officer to continue with the procurement, also imposing a Ksh2 million cost on the company.

In its filing, the company argued that the board failed to address concerns about tender requirements that could limit competition, including criteria for relevant experience, joint‑venture restrictions, subcontractor experience, local‑content rules and the lack of a disclosed framework value.

Additional objections focused on financial qualification thresholds, sample requirements, performance‑security arrangements and the application of preference margins.

Justice Tabitha Wanyama Ouya certified the application as urgent on 26 October 2026, granting leave for judicial review and ordering an interim stay pending the substantive hearing.

The court directed that the substantive motion be filed and served immediately, with the respondents required to reply within three days, later extended to seven days, and set a mention date for 5 November 2026.

The IEBC’s accounting officer and the commission have retained Mukele Moni and Company Advocates and G&A Advocates LLP to represent them in the proceedings.

The judicial review places the disputed procurement under court scrutiny, with Leading Edge seeking to have the PPARB’s October 14 decision quashed and the original complaint reconsidered by a newly constituted panel.