Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended the opposition’s call for supporters to protect their votes during Kenya’s 2027 General Election, dismissing concerns from the government that the move could encourage unrest.
His remarks came after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen warned that politicians should not mobilise civilians to guard polling stations, arguing that election security remains the responsibility of the state.
Speaking at a public event, Gachagua questioned why citizens should be criticised for wanting to safeguard the outcome of an election they participated in.
“We saw Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen criticising us on the plans to guard our votes. Are the votes his?” Gachagua said.
Drawing a comparison with private security, he argued that people often hire guards to protect their homes despite the existence of police stations nearby.
“Will someone ask me why I decide to put a watchman to guard my home? That is because there is a police station nearby. If we vote and decide to guard our votes, is there a problem?” he asked.
Gachagua went further, saying he did not trust the current security leadership to guarantee the integrity of future elections.
“The present Ministry of Interior as currently constituted cannot be trusted to protect our votes. We must protect them,” he said.
Using a metaphor to reinforce his argument, he added: “How can you entrust the hyena with your goats? They will be eaten.”
He also maintained that opposition supporters, particularly young people, would organise themselves to ensure votes were protected after polling.
The government has, however, taken a sharply different position.
Speaking on August 1, Murkomen said security at polling stations rests solely with authorised state agencies and warned that the government would not permit politicians or civilians to assume that role.
“We will not allow citizens or politicians from any part of the country to guard the polling stations,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS also argued that the phrase “kuchunga kura”—commonly translated as “protecting the vote”—has become a coded expression that could be used to justify violence.
He urged political leaders to avoid rhetoric that could inflame tensions as the country moves closer to the next election cycle, saying political competition should remain peaceful and centred on policies rather than confrontation.
The debate follows similar concerns raised by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) during the recent Ol Kalou by-election.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon reminded voters that only election officials, accredited agents, observers and authorised personnel are allowed to remain inside polling stations during voting and the counting process. He also cautioned against individuals acting as unofficial “super agents” around polling centres.
The electoral commission has consistently maintained that Kenya’s electoral framework contains legal and procedural safeguards designed to protect the integrity of election results while ensuring transparency and accountability.
As political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election, the exchange highlights growing differences between the opposition and the government over how best to safeguard public confidence in the electoral process.
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