Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has described this week's simulation testing of the controversial KIEMS (Kenya Integrated Election Management System) as successful.

The KIEMS will be used to identify voters, tally results in the polling stations and transmit relevant information to the national tallying centre in Nairobi.

The IEBC has also said that they are working well with Safaricom, Airtel Kenya and Telkom Kenya to facilitate the transmission of information and each will cover different zones across the country.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the Commission has its own independent transmitting system that will also assist in communicating results.

Chebukati reflected on ongoing speculation over the integrity of its systems, heightened with the news of the death of ICT and infrastructure director, Chris Musando.

Chebukati said their systems have not been- and will not be compromised.

"Equally the Commission is aware of the discussion in the public sphere regarding possible implications to our ICT systems. We would like to reiterate that the commission has put in place elaborate business continuity plan to mitigate against a variety of risks including possible absence of key resource persons," he said.

The Commission also announced the launch of an API platform for broadcasting companies to relay results from the constituency tallying centre.

At a media briefing yesterday, Communication Authority Director General Francis Wangusi said the government will not shut down the internet during or after the elections. "I want to reiterate that we are not going to close the internet," said Wangusi. "You need to know that Kenyans are now having a large chunk of their economy depending on those platforms."

However the CA's Director General warned that any online site or broadcasting station that propagates hate speech will be shut down and those responsible prosecuted.

"I wish to remind members of the public on the need for responsible use of social media and to adhere to the guidelines issued by the Authority and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) on the prevention of dissemination of undesirable build and premium rate political messages and political social media content via electronic networks."