Ruto allies on the spot over election rigging strategies
By Rawlings Otieno, July 14, 2025Is President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza administration planning to rig the 2027 polls? This is the question that Kenyans are now asking.
The concern has popped out after leaders allied to the President openly and brazenly talked down at Kenyans, claiming their community would rig the elections in favour of Ruto.
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow stirred the hornet’s nest after publicly claiming that leaders from the North Eastern region are prepared to rig elections in favour of the incumbent.
Fatuma, speaking during the 60th anniversary of Wajir High School, said that the region will use any means to rig the elections.
“As MPs from North Eastern, as I speak from Wajir, we don’t talk much. When it comes to the President, we say two terms. We are just waiting for the ballot, even if we don’t have votes, we will steal for him. That’s no secret,” she said.
Fatuma’s statement has sparked outrage and backlash, with stakeholders demanding her censure, raising concerns about the credibility of Kenya’s electoral processes ahead of the 2027 polls.
Fatuma’s remarks add to the growing number of Ruto’s allies who have brazenly stated that they will steal votes and ensure that the Kenya Kwanza administration gets re-elected.
Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, a close ally of President Ruto, is on record as saying that Ruto cannot be the first president to serve only one term.
“Those saying Ruto must go, there is nowhere we are going. In this country, there is no president who has only served for five years. He will not …if we are doing what? Do you think this country belongs to you?” posed Sudi.
William Kamket (Tiaty) asserted that they would do whatever it takes to ensure victory.
“I come from county 24. We, the people of Baringo we know the history of 24 years in power. We are the people who know how to manufacture a President to serve for 24 years. If they play, we will tell the President to continue,” said Kamket.
One-term narrative
Nelson Koech (Belgut), another close ally of Ruto, hit back at critics, claiming President Ruto will be a one-term leader.
“Who told you we will serve one term? Kibaki and Uhuru did not serve one term. Do you think we are fools to serve one term when it is our turn? We will serve two terms,” said Koech.
Political analysts and election stakeholders are calling out the President’s allies and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to allay the fears of rigging.
Elections Observers Group (ELOG) Programmes Officer Marcus Agenga averred that in a functional democracy, an outcome of an electoral process should be unpredictable while its processes should be predictable.
“When members of a political party openly brag about an intention or ability to rig elections, it strikes at the very heart of democratic legitimacy and erodes public trust in electoral institutions. Such statements, whether made in jest or with serious intent, send a very dangerous message that outcomes from an election is not about the will of the people but about power manipulation,” said Agenga.
According to Agenga, electoral malpractices undermine the principle of political accountability and delegitimise electoral outcomes, even in cases where results might have been fair.
“Citizens become disillusioned, believing that in the end, their votes do not matter, potentially leading to voter apathy, reduced participation, and increased political polarisation. It also delegitimises the role of independent electoral bodies, casting doubt on their impartiality and effectiveness, especially if they fail to challenge such claims publicly,” he said.
Fragile democracies
He went on: “In fragile democracies, this behaviour can incite unrest, foster cynicism, and fuel a cycle of contested elections and governance crises.”
Senate Deputy Minority Leader Enock Wambua (Kitui) charged that the election rigging claims can only come from leaders who have completely lost touch with the reality of Kenyan politics.
“I am not worried about the silence of the president on this matter because an overwhelming majority of Kenyans will find it difficult to trust his word on this matter. My biggest worry is the silence of the IEBC,” said Wambua.
He went on: “How the electoral body can maintain studious silence in the face of such a blatant affront to its independence is reason for Kenyans to worry. But truth be told, it will be extremely difficult for the Kenya Kwanza regime to rig the election. Any attempt to subvert the will of the people by way of rigging the August 2027 election will be dangerously counterproductive.”
Political analyst, Martin Andati, while exonerating the electoral agency commissioners, opined that the threat to rig elections is a recipe for chaos.
“The president has not called them to order because he’s testing the waters to see how Kenyans react. IEBC has not talked about it yet because they are newly installed in office,” said Andati.
He warned in addition: “Attempting to rig the 2027 elections would be trying to subvert our democracy and violating the will of the people, which will cause chaos of monumental proportions.”
His counterpart, Javas Bigambo, charged that the statements by some politicians regarding election rigging should invite condemnation and unreserved chastisement.
“Such condemnation should be directed to those who have uttered those statements. Kenya’s history, particularly the 2007 PEV, is a testament to the grave danger of any real or strongly perceived election rigging. Luckily for us, in 2017, the Supreme Court nullified presidential election results due to proven malpractices,” said Bigambo.
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who hails from the North Eastern region, called on Fatuma and any other leader who has made such reckless remarks to apologise to the nation.
“That statement was reckless, uncalled for and goes against the tenets of our constitution,” said Duale. He went on: “When we were campaigning in 2022, we were scared of rigging from the state machinery. We must guard against such talks. We should hold free, fair and credible elections.”
Contacted IEBC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Marjan Hussein Marjan said that the commission is concerned about statements on election malpractices in the country.
“Such utterances are unacceptable and reckless in a democratic society such as ours, and IEBC urges all Kenyans to ignore or disassociate with them,” said Marjan.
According to Marjan, IEBC will constitute the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee as prescribed under Article 84 of the Constitution, as read together with Section 110 of the Elections Act. Marjan charged that there is no gazettment or declaration that has been made to warrant such desirous political utterances and propaganda.
“The country is not in a campaign period at the moment. IEBC is now fully constituted and will engage with stakeholders, including the political parties and leaders, to discuss means and ways of restoring trust and confidence in our electoral processes and outcomes,” said Marjan.
He assured members of the public and stakeholders that it shall safeguard its independence and impartiality to ensure free, fair and credible elections.