NAIROBI, Kenya – Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has firmly ruled out the possibility of electoral fraud in the upcoming 2027 General Election, saying vote-rigging is “impossible” under Kenya’s current legal and electoral framework.
Speaking in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ethekon addressed mounting concerns over the credibility of the next presidential contest, triggered by recent political statements suggesting that President William Ruto’s re-election would be secured “by all means.”
“I personally don’t think there will be the stealing of votes. It is impossible!” Ethekon declared. “If there are loopholes, please point them out to the media.”
IEBC Responds to Public Scepticism
Ethekon emphasized that the IEBC is committed to strengthening transparency and accountability ahead of the 2027 polls.
“We need to perfect our electoral processes and systems,” he said. “We deal with numbers, not feelings or perceptions.”
He noted that Kenya’s laws provide well-defined mechanisms for addressing electoral disputes, assuring candidates and voters alike that any grievances can be resolved through the judiciary.
“If there are any challenges after the elections, Kenya has laws, and the candidates can go to court,” Ethekon added.
Addressing public doubt surrounding the commission’s independence, the IEBC chief pointed to the openness of the selection process that brought him into office.
“From the moment of shortlisting, the interviews, the vetting — everything was out there,” he said. “We were even taken to court, and they pronounced themselves. We went through that successfully.”
Fatuma Jeho’s Remarks Trigger Outrage
The assurances come days after Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jeho sparked national outrage by claiming that her political faction would “steal votes” in the next general election to secure President Ruto’s second term.
“We are just waiting for the 2027 general polls, and even if there are no votes, we will steal — and that is not a secret,” Jeho said at a recent rally.
The IEBC swiftly condemned the remarks as “reckless and unacceptable,” warning that such statements undermine the integrity of democratic institutions and public confidence in the electoral process.
In response, Ethekon reiterated that the IEBC is focused solely on delivering a credible, transparent, and lawful election in 2027, regardless of political rhetoric.
Mudavadi: Words Matter
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also weighed in, cautioning leaders against using inflammatory language that could erode trust in democratic institutions.
“Such remarks, whether made in jest or not, risk eroding confidence in institutions that safeguard our democracy,” Mudavadi said.
“Give Us a Chance”
Calling for national support and trust, Ethekon urged Kenyans to allow the commission to do its work without suspicion or premature judgment.
“I don’t know what more we can do as human beings to shed off what a section of Kenyans is trying to pin on us,” he said. “We signed up to do a job for Kenyans. Our elections are highly regulated by the law.”
“Give us a chance so that we can work together and build trust and confidence in our electoral system,” he added.
