DAP-K party leader and former defence cabinet secretary Eugene Wamalwa has called on Kenyans to make integrity the defining factor in the 2027 General Election, arguing that the country’s governance challenges can only be resolved by electing leaders committed to independence, accountability, and the rule of law.

Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Monday, June 29, 2026, Wamalwa said Kenya’s biggest challenge is not the structure of its institutions but the character of the people entrusted to lead them.

“The first thing we need to fix is really the governance issue. To fix it, first of all, we need to put integrity on the ballot. We need leaders of integrity,” Wamalwa said.

Wamalwa maintained that the quality of leadership in Parliament, the executive, and the judiciary will determine whether the country’s institutions can effectively serve the public.

“It matters not who the MPs are in Parliament or who serves in the judiciary or the executive. What matters most is that we have men and women of integrity who will serve independently and do the right thing,” Wamalwa said.

Executive control over parliament

The former CS has expressed concerns that Parliament has increasingly lost its independence, claiming it has been overwhelmed by an overbearing executive that has compromised its oversight role.

“The truth is that today we have an overbearing executive that has captured Parliament, and we are now seeing a judiciary that might go back to the feeble judiciary we had before the reforms,” he stated.

Wamalwa has warned that the erosion of institutional independence poses a serious threat to constitutional democracy, stressing that the gains made through judicial and governance reforms must be safeguarded.

According to Wamalwa, Kenya requires strong and independent institutions capable of holding each arm of government accountable rather than serving political interests.

He urged voters to prioritise integrity, competence and independence when electing leaders in 2027, saying the future of the country’s governance will depend on leaders who uphold the Constitution and act in the public interest.

“We need working institutions,” Wamalwa said, adding that only leaders guided by integrity will restore public confidence in government and strengthen Kenya’s democratic foundations.