National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called for sobriety among leaders as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during a church service at St. Teresa of Calcutta, Kisumu, Wetang’ula emphasised the need for unity and peace.

In a Facebook post dated September 14, 2025, Wetang’ula highlighted the escalating political climate, noting, “With political temperatures rising ahead of the 2027 General Election, I called for sobriety among leaders, urging them to advance agendas that empower citizens to make worthy decisions, not divide the country.”

The Speaker had earlier warned politicians to keep off the IEBC to safeguard the credibility of the 2027 elections.

“The Church remains the cornerstone of cohesion and integration in our nation.” He joined worshippers in prayer, urging them to remain steadfast in seeking peace and neutralising hate, lies, divisions, tribalism, and other negative forces.

His remarks come as Kenya prepares for another electoral cycle, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) recently reconstituted.

He further encouraged young people to register as voters and exercise their constitutional rights following the IEBC’s full establishment.

The Speaker also addressed regional matters affecting livelihoods. “On Lake Victoria, I noted that while cases of fishermen’s arrests have reduced, regional laws under the East African Community need review to ensure our citizens fully benefit from local resources,” he said.

IEBC readiness questioned

While Wetang’ula called for calm, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka raised concerns over the IEBC’s preparedness for the upcoming election.

Speaking at an inter-party youth forum in Nairobi on September 10, 2025, Kalonzo questioned the procurement of election materials, alleging that the process began before the commission’s full reconstitution.

“They have already procured materials even before the new Ruto commission came into place,” he claimed, describing the move as an institutional failure. He urged the commission to ensure credibility and avoid partisanship.

In addition to Kalonzo, DCP leaders also urged IEBC to ensure fairness in voter registration.

Commission’s mandate

The newly constituted IEBC, chaired by Erastus Edung Ethekon, has been working to meet constitutional timelines ahead of the 2027 polls.

Ethekon, underscored the expanded role of the electoral body. “Our mandate goes beyond running elections – it’s about safeguarding fairness, transparency, and peace throughout the electoral cycle,” he said during a strategic meeting with security agencies in Mombasa on September 5, 2025.

The commission is also preparing for by-elections on November 27, 2025, and will resume Continuous Voter Registration on September 29, 2025. Meanwhile, guidelines for independent candidates have been released, with nominations scheduled for October 8–9.