Kenya's IEBC Rejects Vote Rigging Claims Ahead of 2027 Election

Erastus Edung Ethekon, chairperson of Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, forcefully rejected claims that the 2027 General Election could be influenced through unlawful or extra-legal means. The commission described such allegations as reckless, baseless, and designed to erode public confidence in Kenya's democratic process. Ethekon defended the institution's independence and asserted that the IEBC maintains sole constitutional authority over the electoral process.

The controversy escalated when former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo called on the IEBC and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission to take action against political leaders who publicly boasted about stealing elections and threatened dissenting citizens. Odhiambo argued that such rhetoric normalizes electoral fraud and violates the oath of office for public officers.

The IEBC clarified that the Electoral Code of Conduct is not currently operational because no election has been officially declared. The commission stated it would engage relevant authorities to act against those making inflammatory statements. Meanwhile, the IEBC urged eligible citizens to participate in the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise at constituency offices, Huduma Centres, and the Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.