Pressure is mounting on the electoral body after a section of opposition leaders demanded urgent engagement over what they claim are growing concerns in the voters’ register ahead of the next election.
They are now calling for immediate talks with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission over alleged flaws they say could affect the credibility of the poll process.
The leaders, led by DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua and Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, said they want a formal meeting with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission within two weeks. They accused President William Ruto of attempting to influence the commission in order to gain political advantage ahead of the election.
They made the remarks during political rallies held in Machakos on Friday, where they insisted that the integrity of the voter register is already in question. They claimed that several Kenyans have raised complaints of being registered more than once or finding their details in the system without their knowledge.
Former Attoney General Justin Muturi said the team has received repeated reports pointing to possible manipulation and errors in the register. Eugene Wamalwa also pointed to a case in Nairobi where a voter allegedly found his details appearing in both Nairobi and Marsabit counties.
“We have credible reports of double registration and cases where citizens are shocked to find their details already captured in the system. This raises serious questions about the credibility of the register,” Muturi said.
Wamalwa further alleged cases of duplication across counties.
“We know Ruto knows he is going home, now he is trying to rig his way back using IEBC. We want to tell IEBC chairman not to be used to divert the popular will of the people,” Wamalwa stated.
“There are cases in Nairobi of double registration, Nairobi and Marsabit.”
The leaders are now pushing for a full audit and clean-up of the voter register, warning that failure to act could weaken public trust in the electoral process. They also want changes within the electoral commission’s secretariat, saying internal structures could affect future election management.
“We want him to clean the secretariat. We are demanding for a meeting with IEBC in the next two weeks to address the loopholes,” Wamalwa stated.
“Kenya cannot afford another bungled elections.”
The concerns were also echoed during a rally in Matuu attended by Fred Matiang’i, who criticised the government over what he termed as poor performance in key sectors including health and education.
He also warned that rising violence and intimidation of leaders could push the country into instability.
“As a patriotic citizen, our country is sliding to chaos. If you see elected leader being physically beaten how safe are the citizen?” Matiang’i posed.
“From next week, we shall have a retreat and have a discussion on the concerns because our country is turning into Haiti.”
Gachagua and Kalonzo urged residents in Eastern Kenya to take part in voter registration, saying increased numbers would strengthen their political movement ahead of the election.
“I want to say the journey to liberate this country has started and it has started by Gen-Zs. I want to tell the country and William Ruto to use any tricks targeting leaders like Osotsi [Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi],” Kalonzo said.
“We have three weeks to go, let us mop up all those who have not registered so that we have everyone listed as a voter.”
