Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Gem MP Elisha Odhiambo on Saturday accused opposition leaders of “panic and cowardice” after they criticized the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Wandayi, speaking in Ugunja dismissed opposition grievances against the electoral commission as politically motivated.

“He has started crying, saying ‘IEBC this, IEBC that.’ Stop crying before the whistle has even been blown,” Wandayi told mourners and residents. “IEBC has no votes to cast. The votes belong to the citizens. If you don’t have the people, if you don’t have the votes, then go home and stop bothering Kenyans.”

The veteran politician challenged the opposition to quickly name their presidential candidate to face President William Ruto and predicted a decisive first-round victory for the incumbent.

“Our candidate is President William Ruto. We want to win this election in round one convincingly with more than 60 percent in fact, we may even cross 70 percent,” Wandayi said, urging residents across Siaya County to register for national IDs and voter cards.

Odhiambo, speaking in Alego Usonga during the anniversary of late lawyer and former parliamentary aspirant Evans Oruenjo, echoed Wandayi and urged critics  including the former Deputy President  to stop disputing the IEBC’s legitimacy. 

He said the current commission was legally constituted following public vetting and judicial processes.

“When they went to the election together with the current President, he did not complain,” Odhiambo said. “I want to ask him: do not panic. I encourage you to join other Kenyans in voting for President William Samoei Ruto.”

The Gem MP offered a demographic-based forecast, asserting that a shift in regional loyalties would secure Ruto a second term. 

“I am certain in my mind that the whole of Luo Nyanza, Western, Coast, and North Eastern are going to compensate for any missing votes to ensure President Ruto is given a second chance,” he said.

He contrasted Ruto’s administration with past governments, crediting the president’s focus on grassroots infrastructure for his popularity. “Look at President William Ruto, who is all over the country building affordable houses, building roads, markets, and improving school infrastructure,” Odhiambo said. “In the history of Kenya, no president has ever served only one term. Those who are daydreaming should know there is no one-term presidency here.”

Wandayi added that the national government remains committed to working “shoulder- to- shoulder” with the region on development, and announced plans to issue national IDs to local youth free of charge.