IEBC condemns presidential election rigging claims, vows action
By Emmanuel Rono, May 26, 2026The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has condemned what it described as reckless and baseless claims by political actors on plans to manipulate the 2027 General Election through extra-legal means.
In a press release issued Tuesday, May 26, 2027, the commission said recent statements by some politicians suggesting they could influence the outcome of the 2027 presidential election risk undermining public confidence in Kenya’s democratic institutions and electoral processes.
The electoral body said the utterances had created anxiety within the political environment and warned that such remarks were intended to instil fear, mislead the public and erode trust in the integrity of elections.
“These utterances, which have elicited considerable disquiet within the electoral environment, pose a real risk of distorting public perception of Kenya’s democratic processes. IEBC considers such utterances to be unacceptable, reckless, and entirely baseless,” IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon insisted.
“The utterances are clearly intended to instil fear, mislead the public and erode confidence in the integrity of the electoral system. IEBC, therefore, urges all Kenyans to disregard, dissociate and refrain from amplifying them.”
Constitutional mandate
IEBC reiterated that the constitutional mandate to conduct and supervise elections rests solely with the commission under Article 88 of the Constitution and cannot be shared or taken over by any individual, institution or political actor.
The commission defended its independence, saying claims that it is weak, compromised or susceptible to external influence were false, misleading and disrespectful to the institution’s constitutional role in safeguarding the sovereign will of the people.
“For avoidance of doubt, the duty and responsibility of conducting and supervising elections in Kenya is exclusively vested in the IEBC under Article 88 of the Constitution of Kenya. This mandate is not shared with, nor can it be usurped by, any individual, institution or political actor,” IEBC stated.
Inflammatory and unverified statements
The electoral agency further cautioned political leaders against making inflammatory and unverified statements on vote-rigging, saying such remarks only serve to weaken confidence in the country’s democratic systems.
IEBC clarified that the Electoral Code of Conduct is currently not operational because no election has been declared. It cited the Supreme Court judgment in the Sabina Chege Supreme Court Petition No. 23 (E026) of 2022, which affirmed that the commission only assumes jurisdiction under the code during an election period.
IEBC vows action
The commission noted that there has been no official publication relating to the 2027 General Election and termed the ongoing political rhetoric as premature and irresponsible.
“Notably, the IEBC has not declared any elections. Further, there is no publication of the 2027 General Election that has been made to warrant the current wave of premature and irresponsible utterances.”
“IEBC shall engage the relevant authorities for appropriate action. It is time political actors stopped hoodwinking the public that the election will be rigged and instead start embracing the steps set out on the country’s preparedness to conduct the 2027 General Election. Let everyone respect institutional independence as guaranteed in the Constitution,” IEBC noted.