NAIROBI — The credibility of Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing renewed scrutiny following public statements by lawmakers hinting at possible election manipulation in 2027.
IEBC’s new leadership, headed by Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, officially assumed office on July 11. The team’s first major task includes overseeing 20 upcoming by-elections across the country. However, with barely two years to the general election, public confidence in the institution remains low.
Concerns have intensified after recent remarks from elected officials suggested potential plans to tamper with future election outcomes. Tiaty Member of Parliament William Kamket implied there was a strategy to secure President William Ruto’s re-election by any means necessary. Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow went further, stating, “We are just waiting for the ballot boxes to come, and even if we don’t have enough votes, we will rig for him and that is no secret.”
The comments have drawn backlash from legal experts and political leaders, who say they undermine trust in democratic institutions.
Political commentator Ahmed Hashi said that the commission must take a clear stand against fraud. “The reason we have an electoral body is because we’re afraid of vote theft. If the IEBC cannot assert itself as a moral guardian of democracy, then it fails its purpose,” he said.
Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni echoed that concern, urging the commission to overhaul its processes to win public trust. “It’s Kenyans who decide, not politicians. IEBC must guarantee that the people’s voice is what counts on Election Day,” Omogeni stated.
Legal expert Steve Ogolla raised issues with the current system, arguing that manual election processes leave too much room for manipulation. He noted that the country’s failure to implement full electronic transmission of results continues to cast doubt on vote credibility.
The allegations and warnings come amid preparations for the final stages of electoral reform talks, where Parliament is expected to review key legal frameworks governing elections. The focus remains on ensuring that the commission operates independently and transparently.
The IEBC has not officially responded to the claims made by Kamket and Jehow. Chairperson Ethekon, who addressed the press last month during an induction event on July 16, promised to restore public faith in the commission. “Our role is to protect the electoral process, and we intend to uphold that duty,” he said at the time.
However, critics argue that words must be backed by decisive action, especially with the memories of past disputed elections still fresh in the public mind.
As Kenya inches closer to the 2027 general elections, the pressure on IEBC to deliver a credible, fair process continues to mount. Observers warn that if public doubts persist, the stakes in the next electoral cycle could become dangerously high.
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