Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has warned that Kenya cannot conduct credible elections in an environment marked by hate speech, violence, political intolerance and ethnic incitement.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of a high-level multi-agency steering committee on election-related violence and hate speech, Ethekon said the commission’s ability to deliver free, fair and credible elections depends on a peaceful political environment.
“I would like to state clearly that IEBC cannot hold elections in a toxic environment. IEBC cannot hold elections in an environment that’s full of incitement, division, violence, chaos and anarchy,” Ethekon said.
The IEBC chair called on political parties to rein in their members and supporters, warning that inflammatory rhetoric and divisive politics pose a serious threat to the country’s democratic process.
“Political parties must restrain their members to refrain from inciting Kenyans to violence or to division. We must refrain from celebrating those individuals who are thriving in hate and dividing us,” he said.
Multi-Agency Crackdown on Hate Speech
Ethekon spoke as the IEBC joined the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) in launching a multi-agency committee tasked with combating hate speech, ethnic incitement, political intolerance and election-related violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The committee will coordinate investigations, intelligence sharing and enforcement of electoral laws, with agencies warning that politicians found culpable of hate speech or incitement could face prosecution and possible disqualification from contesting the 2027 elections.
NCIC Chairperson Kepha Nyamweya Omae said the committee would provide strategic direction in preventing and responding to election-related offences, while DCI Director Mohamed Amin warned that leaders promoting violence and division would face the full force of the law.
Candidates Could Be Barred
Officials from the Office of the Registrar of Political Parties also cautioned that politicians who violate electoral laws may not appear on the ballot.
“Some of the people you are seeing campaigning here will not see the ballot. They are not going to be on the ballot because they will be disqualified because of inciting Kenyans,” an official said during the launch.
Ethekon further urged Kenyans to formally report cases of voter bribery and electoral offences instead of limiting complaints to social media, saying the commission can only act on complaints supported by evidence and lodged through the proper legal channels.
