The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that continued attacks on the electoral body risk creating a climate in which Kenyans may reject the outcome of the 2027 General Election, regardless of who wins.
Speaking during an interview on Wednesday, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana said persistent criticism, particularly from political leaders, was steadily eroding public confidence in the commission. He argued that trust in the institution must be rebuilt well before voters head to the polls.
“If we do not create, sustain and build momentum towards rebuilding the trust and confidence of Kenyans in the IEBC, the ground will have been prepared for rejection of the results,” Mukhwana said.
He warned that such a scenario could leave the country facing a disputed election outcome.
“Whoever wins will not be accepted, and whoever loses will not accept the results,” he added.
Mukhwana said public confidence in electoral institutions is shaped long before voting day. According to him, political rhetoric and repeated claims made without evidence can influence how citizens perceive the commission’s independence and credibility.
He maintained that the IEBC remains committed to enforcing electoral laws and ensuring that future elections are conducted fairly and transparently.
The commissioner also criticised public officials whom he accused of engaging in conduct that undermines electoral integrity. He said such actions reinforce the perception that the commission is aligned with the government, making its work more difficult.
His remarks come amid growing political tensions ahead of several electoral contests, including the Ol Kalou by-election, where opposition leaders have raised concerns over the conduct of security agencies and the electoral process.
Mukhwana urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics and hold leaders accountable for statements or actions that inflame ethnic tensions or weaken confidence in democratic institutions.
He argued that protecting the credibility of the electoral process is a shared responsibility, warning that sustained mistrust could have lasting consequences for the country’s democratic stability.
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