Anyone caught photographing or filming inside a polling booth risks a fine of up to Ksh 1 million, a prison sentence of up to three years, or both.
The IEBC has made clear that it will not treat such violations lightly, and the penalties reflect how seriously the commission views any interference with the integrity of the voting process.
The warning comes as more Kenyans carry smartphones into polling stations and as social media culture has made the urge to document personal moments almost instinctive for many people.
For some voters, taking a photo of their ballot has been seen as a way of sharing their civic participation online or proving who they voted for.
The IEBC is sending a firm message that this practice is not only prohibited but punishable by law.
The reasoning behind the rule goes to the heart of what makes a democratic election credible. The secrecy of the ballot is not a formality.
It is a fundamental protection that ensures no voter can be pressured, coerced, or rewarded based on how they vote. The moment a ballot can be photographed and shown to someone else, that protection begins to break down.
By documenting who you voted for, you open the door to vote buying, intimidation, and the erosion of the one space in a democracy where every citizen stands completely equal and completely free.
The IEBC's message to voters is clear. Go in, vote, and come out. Leave the camera in your pocket.
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