The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has strongly condemned recent remarks by political actors alleging plans to influence the outcome of the 2027 presidential election through unlawful means, warning that such statements threaten public confidence in Kenya’s democratic processes.
In a statement on May 26, 2026, IEBC described the claims as “unacceptable, reckless, and entirely baseless,” saying they pose a risk in distorting public perception.
“These utterances, which have elicited considerable disquiet within the electoral environment, pose a real risk of distorting public perception of Kenya’s democratic processes. IEBC considers such utterances to be unacceptable, reckless, and entirely baseless.”
The commission noted that the statements have already created anxiety within the political environment, with concerns that repeated claims of election manipulation could distort public perception ahead of the 2027 General Election.
According to IEBC, the responsibility of conducting and supervising elections is solely vested in the commission under Article 88 of the Constitution and cannot be shared or taken over by any individual, institution, or political group.
The commission further defended its independence, dismissing assertions that it is weak, compromised, or vulnerable to outside influence.
It termed such allegations as false, misleading, and disrespectful to its constitutional mandate of protecting the sovereign will of Kenyan voters.
“Of particular concern are assertions suggesting that the IEBC is weak, compromised, or susceptible to external influence. Such claims are not only false and misleading but also deeply disrespectful to the institution and the constitutional role it plays in safeguarding the sovereign will of the people.”
The IEBC also clarified that the Electoral Code of Conduct is currently not operational because no election has officially been declared.
The commission emphasized that there has been no official publication declaring the 2027 General Election, making the ongoing political rhetoric both premature and irresponsible.
At the same time, the IEBC revealed that it will engage relevant authorities over the controversial remarks, while urging political leaders to stop misleading the public with claims that elections will be rigged.
Instead, the commission called on leaders and citizens alike to focus on strengthening democracy, respecting institutional independence, and preparing for the next General Election through lawful and constructive engagement.
The commission also encouraged eligible Kenyans to register as voters through the ongoing Continuous Voter Registration exercise being conducted at constituency offices, Huduma Centres across the country, and the Customer Care Centre at Anniversary Towers in Nairobi.
