The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has strongly condemned claims by political actors alleging plans to manipulate the 2027 General Election through extra-legal means, describing the statements as reckless, misleading, and dangerous to Kenya’s democracy.
In a press release issued on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said the commission had noted with “grave concern” recent public remarks suggesting that the 2027 presidential election could be influenced outside the constitutional framework.
According to the commission, the statements risk undermining public confidence in the electoral system and creating unnecessary tension ahead of the 2027 polls.
“These utterances, which have elicited considerable disquiet within the electoral environment, pose a real risk of distorting public perception of Kenya’s democratic processes,” the statement read.
The IEBC termed the allegations “unacceptable, reckless, and entirely baseless,” adding that they appeared designed to instill fear and mislead Kenyans about the integrity of the electoral process.
“The utterances are clearly intended to instill fear, mislead the public and erode confidence in the integrity of the electoral system.”
The commission urged Kenyans to disregard such statements and refrain from amplifying unverified claims related to vote-rigging or voter manipulation.
IEBC Defends Constitutional Mandate
The commission emphasized that the responsibility of conducting and supervising elections in Kenya is exclusively vested in the IEBC under Article 88 of the Constitution.
“This mandate is not shared with, nor can it be usurped by, any individual, institution or political actor.”
The electoral body further warned political leaders against making inflammatory remarks that could weaken trust in democratic institutions.
The IEBC also rejected suggestions that it is weak, compromised, or susceptible to external influence.
“Such claims are not only false and misleading but also deeply disrespectful to the institution and the constitutional role it plays in safeguarding the sovereign will of the people.”
Electoral Code of Conduct Not Yet Operational
The commission clarified that while it strongly condemns the statements, the Electoral Code of Conduct is currently not operational because no election has been declared.
The IEBC cited the Supreme Court ruling in the Hon. Sabina Chege Supreme Court Petition No. 23 (E026) of 2022, which affirmed that the commission only exercises jurisdiction under the Electoral Code during an official election period.
“Notably, the IEBC has not declared any elections. Further, there is no publication of the 2027 General Election that has been made to warrant the current wave of premature and irresponsible utterances.”
However, the commission warned that it would engage relevant authorities for appropriate action where necessary.
Amid the controversy, the IEBC called on eligible Kenyans to register as voters through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) exercise taking place at constituency offices, Huduma Centres, and the Customer Care Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
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