Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to remain firm and impartial, warning it against intimidation or blackmail by politicians ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday during an interdenominational church service and fundraiser for 22 churches at Kipsamoo School Grounds in Kapseret Constituency, Uasin Gishu County, Kindiki said the electoral agency should discharge its mandate according to the Constitution and existing laws without favouring either the government or opposition.
He challenged opposition leaders to develop policies and manifestos to present to voters instead of attacking the electoral body.
“IEBC does not vote. Look for a manifesto and sell it to Kenyans who will make a decision,” Kindiki said.
He said the government was not seeking favours from the commission and had confidence in its ability to conduct its duties independently.
“We have faith in our institutions. We don’t want them to favour the government or the opposition. They should do their work and should not be intimidated, threatened or cowed by anyone,” he said.
Kindiki said the commission should remain firm in defending its constitutional mandate and conduct a free, fair and verifiable election.
“They should remain firm and defend their constitutional mandate. We want them to be impartial and conduct a free, fair and verifiable and not to be intimidated by the opposition,” he said.
The Deputy President accused opposition leaders of sensing defeat and looking for excuses for what he described as their looming failure in the 2027 elections.
He said President William Ruto's record in roads, electricity, education, health and agriculture would be the basis on which the administration would seek another term.
Kindiki also warned political leaders against mobilising young people to attack their opponents, saying the government would enforce the law against individuals involved in violence.
“To all the political leaders inciting young people to violence, your days are numbered. We cannot allow our country to be a country of goons,” he warned.
He asked Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who attended the event, to take tough action against perpetrators.
“Don’t joke with criminals. We cannot allow anyone to play with the country’s security. The way we ended banditry and terrorism, we will end goons,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President challenged politicians seeking office in 2027 to sell their agendas to voters rather than resorting to violence.
“It is not about who is more violent or who can cause harm. It is about selling your agenda to the voters and whoever wins serves all. Those who lose will live to fight another day,” he said.
Kindiki cited government investments including roads, markets, stadiums, affordable housing, agricultural subsidies and reforms in education and healthcare.
“We are ready to face Kenyans eyeball to eyeball and explain to them what we have done in office,” he said.
His remarks follow allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the IEBC's procurement of an Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) had been predetermined in favour of South Korean firm Miru Systems.
Gachagua also raised concerns over alleged interference with the voter register and accused senior IEBC officials of overseeing a process he claimed could compromise the 2027 election.
The IEBC rejected the allegations with the commission chairperson Erastus Ethekon saying no company had been awarded the technology tender, describing its technical specifications as generic and performance-based, adding the procurement remained at its initial stages.
The commission also said the process had been temporarily halted following a request for review before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
Ethekon further dismissed claims of voter suppression and interference with the voter register, saying the register remained under the exclusive custody of the commission.