Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has sought to calm growing political tension ahead of Kenya’s 2027 General Election, insisting that the presidential vote will be free from manipulation.
Speaking in Mwandimu village in Kwale County on Monday, Kindiki dismissed claims from both opposition figures and some leaders allied to the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) that next year’s election could be rigged.
“There will be no rigging,” he told residents during the launch of a rural electricity project expected to connect 105 homes to the national grid at a cost of KSh13.5 million.
Kindiki defended the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), describing it as an institution capable of delivering a credible vote despite mounting public scrutiny over electoral processes in Kenya.
“President William Ruto and all elected leaders are in office because there was an election commission that respected the will of the people,” he said. “We have a democracy that protects the voice of voters.”
The Deputy President argued that the current administration itself benefited from an independent electoral system during the fiercely contested 2022 election, which saw President Ruto narrowly defeat veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga.
His remarks come at a time when political rhetoric around the next election has already begun to intensify, even with more than a year remaining before Kenyans return to the ballot box.
Questions surrounding the credibility of elections remain deeply sensitive in Kenya, where disputed presidential results have previously triggered protests, court battles and periods of unrest. The IEBC has also faced criticism in recent months, with opposition figures calling for reforms and greater transparency within the commission.
Kindiki, however, urged political leaders to shift focus away from allegations of electoral fraud and instead campaign on performance and policy.
“The people of Kenya will decide who leads them,” he said. “Every leader must show what they have done for wananchi if they want another term.”
He also took aim at opposition leaders, accusing them of lacking a clear agenda for the country. Many, he said, had previously served in senior government positions but had little to show for it.
“The next election should be about records and ideas,” Kindiki said. “If you have done nothing for the people, they will reject you.”
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