Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has ruled out the possibility of vote-rigging in the upcoming 2027 General Elections, urging Kenyans to give the newly reconstituted commission a chance to restore public confidence in the electoral system.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ethekon firmly dismissed concerns of electoral fraud, which have resurfaced following controversial remarks by some political leaders.
“I personally don’t think there will be the stealing of votes. It is impossible!” he stated.
“If there are loopholes, please point them out to the media.”
Ethekon emphasised that the IEBC is focused on perfecting its systems and processes well ahead of the polls.
“We need to perfect our electoral processes and systems. We deal with numbers, not feelings or perceptions,” he said.
Concerns over vote-rigging were reignited after Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jeho recently made provocative remarks suggesting a willingness to manipulate the 2027 vote to secure President William Ruto’s re-election.
“We are just waiting for the 2027 general polls, and even if there are no votes, we will steal, and that is not a secret,” Jeho declared at a recent rally.
The remarks sparked widespread backlash, prompting a sharp rebuke from IEBC.
In a strongly worded statement, the commission described Jeho’s comments as “reckless and unacceptable,” calling on the public to disregard such claims and trust the commission’s mandate.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also condemned the statement, warning leaders against making inflammatory remarks that could undermine public trust in democratic institutions.
“Such remarks, whether made in jest or not, risk eroding confidence in institutions that safeguard our democracy,” Mudavadi said.
Ethekon, meanwhile, defended the integrity of the current commission, pointing to the transparency that characterised his appointment process.
“From the moment of shortlisting, the interviews, the vetting, everything was out there. Kenyans were asked to dig the dirt and bring it out. We went through that successfully. We were even taken to court, and they pronounced themselves,” he said.
He acknowledged public scepticism but urged Kenyans to judge the commission by its work and not past perceptions.
“Give us a chance so that we can work together and build trust and confidence in our electoral system,” he appealed.
Ethekon reiterated that Kenya’s legal framework provides clear mechanisms for candidates to challenge election results through the courts.
“If there are any challenges that the candidates have after the elections, Kenya has laws, and the candidates can go to court,” he added.
The IEBC Chair said the commission remains committed to delivering credible, transparent, and lawful elections in 2027, in line with its constitutional mandate.
 Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has ruled out the possibility of vote-rigging in the upcoming 2027 General Elections, urging Kenyans to give the newly reconstituted commission a chance to restore public confidence in the electoral system.){kind=link}