NAIROBI, Kenya – Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has strongly condemned recent remarks by a Kenya Kwanza-allied lawmaker who implied that the ruling coalition would rig the 2027 general election to secure victory for President William Ruto.
Speaking at a public forum, Mudavadi described the comments as reckless and damaging, warning that such statements undermine the credibility of President Ruto and the legitimacy of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“This nonsense must stop,” Mudavadi said. “If someone says, ‘Even if it means stealing votes, we’ll do it,’ remove that person from the platform. They are giving Ruto a bad name.”
While he did not name the MP directly, Mudavadi’s remarks appeared to target Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow, who recently claimed during a political rally that MPs from the North Eastern region would support Ruto’s re-election bid even if it meant rigging the polls.
“Sisi wabunge wa North Eastern maneno ya President, tunasema ‘tutam’, hata kama hatutakua na votes tutamwibia… hio si siri,” Jehow declared on July 12, drawing sharp criticism from civil society and political observers.
Mudavadi said such comments were not only irresponsible but also a direct assault on Kenya’s democratic values.
He urged coalition members to campaign based on ideas and trust in the electorate rather than propagate narratives of manipulation.
“If you are in Kenya Kwanza and you believe in Ruto, don’t talk about stealing votes. Talk about winning votes,” he emphasized. “This is the message we should be sending to our people.”
He also criticised the setting in which the remarks were made, noting the presence of church leaders, local and international media, and dignitaries.
“You are speaking in front of serious people, and you utter such statements? It makes us look like children,” he said.
Mudavadi reiterated that President Ruto’s 2027 re-election campaign would be based on performance, public trust, and democratic legitimacy—not underhanded tactics.
“We are not in the business of stealing votes,” he stated. “We are in the business of asking for and winning legitimate elections. That is how President Ruto is going to win in 2027.”
Jehow’s remarks have sparked intense debate, with critics warning that they could erode public trust in the electoral process and embolden anti-democratic actors.
Her comments come at a sensitive time as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is preparing for reforms ahead of the next general election.
