People’s Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has launched a scathing attack on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), accusing it of failing to guarantee free, fair and peaceful by-elections and warning that the commission must urgently restore public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking on Thursday, July 16, 2026, during the burial of Mwalimu Josphat Karinga, father of Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Director General Jane Wangu Njuguna, in Gichugu, Kirinyaga County, Karua claimed that recent by-elections had exposed serious shortcomings in the country’s electoral process.

She praised residents of Ol Kalou for resisting what she termed external interference during the by-election and urged Kenyans to remain vigilant in defending the integrity of future elections.

“We will have to force the election to be free and fair in the general election. The things they are doing in the by-election, as citizens, we will do better and stop them in the general election. So far, I commend the residents of Ol Kalou. They are holding their own,” said Karua.

Attack on journalist

The PLP leader also condemned attacks on journalists covering the by-elections, describing the assaults as a direct attack on democracy and press freedom.

“This is terrible. Democracy dies in darkness. They don’t want the press because they want to do things in darkness. I urge journalists to continue with their brave work of covering even what is supposed to be hidden,” she said.

Karua further appealed to Kenyans to guide young people away from political violence, saying many youths were being exploited by politicians to cause chaos during elections.

She urged leaders to embrace responsible politics, noting that leadership should be judged by both words and actions.

Former Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri, who attended the burial alongside Karua, also challenged the IEBC to uphold impartiality and ensure every Kenyan is free to elect leaders of their choice without intimidation, violence or interference.

Ndambiri condemned election-related violence, insisting that all perpetrators should face the law regardless of their political affiliation.

He warned that the electoral commission risks losing public confidence if it fails to conduct credible elections, urging IEBC officials to rebuild trust before Kenyans begin demanding their resignation.

The leaders’ remarks come amid growing political scrutiny over the conduct of recent by-elections, with opposition leaders raising concerns over electoral violence, intimidation and the safety of journalists covering the polls.