IEBC Shoots Down 2027 Election Rigging Talk, Tells Politicians Stop the Spin
The IEBC has dismissed claims of planned manipulation of the 2027 General Election, with Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon warning that unverified allegations risk undermining public confidence in Kenya’s electoral system and democratic institutions.
IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon addresses concerns over claims of planned manipulation of the 2027 General Election, Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed claims that the 2027 General Election is being set up for manipulation, saying the talk is reckless, misleading and can chip away at public trust in Kenya’s electoral order.
In a statement shared with media houses, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon said statements moving around in political circles about possible interference in the 2027 presidential poll are really without roots, and they’re also risky for the country’s democratic process.
From Ethekon’s view, the commission is particularly uneasy about remarks that hint that some individuals or groups could meddle with, or basically steer, the electoral process through unlawful means.
“Those comments are clearly meant to instil fear, mislead the public, and weaken confidence in the integrity of the electoral system” Ethekon said.
“IEBC therefore urges all Kenyans to ignore them, detach from them and also desist from echoing them,” he added.
The IEBC boss underlined that the commission is the only constitutional organ that conducts and oversees elections in Kenya, under Article 88 of the Constitution.
“For avoidance of doubt, the duty and responsibility for conducting and supervising elections in Kenya is exclusively vested in the IEBC. This mandate is not shared with, nor can it be taken over by, any external actor,” he said.
Ethekon also pointed out that Kenya’s electoral system has moved into a rule-based and verifiable democratic process, and that framework should be protected by both leaders and citizens.
He called on political leadership to practice restraint and avoid incendiary, or unverified, claims that could weaken trust in democratic institutions.
“Leadership comes with responsibility. Political actors must refrain from rolling out false or misleading statements about the electoral process, because that only ends up undermining public confidence in the IEBC,” he said.
Further, the chairperson rejected suggestions that the commission can be pushed or swayed by outsiders, insisting that the IEBC is independent and is focused on protecting the sovereign will of Kenyans through free, fair and transparent elections.
“Such claims are not just misleading but also extremely disrespectful to the institution and its constitutional duty of defending the people’s will,” Ethekon stated.
Meanwhile, the commission clarified that the Electoral Code of Conduct is not in operation at the moment, since no official election window has been declared.
Ethekon explained that the authority under the code only kicks in when an election cycle is formally gazetted, so any ongoing chatter about 2027 is, in a way, premature.
The IEBC urged Kenyans to lean on official communication channels for accurate election-related updates, and warned against sharing misinformation that could disrupt public trust in democratic institutions.
The statement comes as political activity keeps rising, with leaders starting early positioning ahead of the 2027 General Election, and fears growing around repeated claims touching on electoral integrity.
The commission concluded by reaffirming its commitment to holding credible, transparent elections that fully match constitutional requirements, when the time arrives.
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