Siaya Governor James Orengo has called on Kenyans to play a more active role in protecting their votes during the 2027 General Election, saying he is weary of repeatedly challenging election results in court and believes citizens should help safeguard the electoral process from the ground.
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi tour in Taita Taveta County, Orengo urged voters to remain outside polling stations after casting their ballots until voting ends, arguing that protecting the vote should not be left to lawyers and the courts alone.
"August 10 ukishapiga kura, kaa nje ukichunga kura... Mimi nimechoka sana na kuenda kortini," Orengo said.
The governor, who has represented several election petitions over the years, said his experience handling post-election disputes had convinced him that voters should take greater responsibility in defending the integrity of elections.
His remarks, however, differ from the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC)'s long-standing advisory, which directs voters to leave polling stations after voting and wait for the official declaration of results.
The commission has maintained that only election officials, accredited party agents, observers and other authorised personnel should remain within polling stations during voting and counting.
Ahead of the recent Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon repeatedly appealed to voters to cast their ballots peacefully and return home, warning against the presence of unauthorised individuals around polling stations.
He noted that during the by-election, the commission observed some people behaving like "super agents" despite lacking accreditation.
The electoral agency has insisted that the country's election laws and procedures provide adequate safeguards to ensure transparency and accountability during voting, tallying and the declaration of results.
During the Taita Taveta meeting, Orengo also rallied support for the Linda Mwananchi movement, describing it as the political outfit carrying forward the ideals of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
"Chama cha Linda Mwananchi ni chama ya Raila Amolo Odinga na simba ya Raila ni Sifuna, Babu Owino, Osotsi, Caroli Omondi... hawa ndiyo wamechukua usukani," he said.
The remarks come as political leaders continue to position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with parties stepping up mobilisation across the country.
Reaffirming the commission's position, Ethekon said election officials would enforce order at polling stations.
"We shall not allow anybody roaming around polling stations. The message is clear: maintain law and order while ensuring every voter can cast their ballot peacefully," Ethekon said last Wednesday ahead of the Ol Kalou by-election.
The IEBC has continued to urge political leaders and their supporters to comply with election regulations, saying established legal procedures are sufficient to protect the credibility of the electoral process while ensuring peaceful elections.