NAIROBI, Kenya — Legal scholar PLO Lumumba launched a blistering critique of Kenya’s electoral institutions and political culture on Wednesday night, warning that the country risks deeper instability unless leaders rebuild public trust ahead of the 2027 polls.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s JKLive, Lumumba accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of presiding over what he described as blatant malpractice in past elections.
He said the Commission had failed in its core mandate of ensuring credible and transparent electoral processes.
“We have an incompetent IEBC, one that is blind to bribery, which was obvious,” Lumumba said. “Candidates were given mattresses under their very watch. People died under their very watch.”
He argued that the Commission’s perceived failures had created an environment where impunity persisted, noting that electoral accountability could not be achieved if the body mandated to enforce integrity appeared incapable of doing so.
His remarks come as Parliament continues to debate the reconstitution of the IEBC, a process that has faced political contestation and public concern over delays.
Lumumba widened his criticism to the broader political culture, saying Kenya’s mobilisation strategies remain deeply anchored in ethnic identity and coercion. “The basis of political mobilization in Kenya is ethnicity and goonism; it is tragic,” he said.
According to him, parties continue to rely on tribal blocs rather than policy-driven persuasion, enabling the rise of violent groups that are deployed during campaigns and at public events.
His remarks follow months of heightened political tension in various regions, where clashes at rallies and community gatherings have revived concerns about the country’s readiness for a peaceful election cycle.
Human rights groups and security agencies have repeatedly warned that early political posturing, coupled with inflammatory rhetoric, could fuel localised violence.
Lumumba also dismissed the relevance of Kenya’s current opposition, saying it had abandoned its constitutional role of providing checks, alternative policies, and constructive interrogation of government actions. “The thing called opposition does not exist,” he said. “Opposition is meant to be a group of responsible individuals who are properly organized to provide alternative governance systems.”
The absence of structured policy platforms, enforceable party discipline and transparent financing has further eroded public confidence.
During the interview, Lumumba urged citizens to demand accountability from leaders across the board, emphasising that meaningful reform must originate from civic pressure rather than political goodwill.
He said the country’s cyclic tensions during election periods stem from unresolved historical patterns, where institutions are weakened by political interference and voters resort to ethnic fallback positions.
His comments drew mixed reactions online. Supporters praised his frank assessment, saying it captured the frustrations of a populace weary of repeated electoral disputes.
As Kenya edges closer to the next general election, debates over IEBC reforms, political accountability, and national cohesion are expected to intensify. Lumumba’s remarks add to a chorus of calls urging Parliament, political parties and oversight bodies to prioritise transparency, rule of law and public trust as key pillars of electoral preparedness.
