Election experts are warning the build up of political stakes ahead of the 2027 elections is becoming increasingly dire and could plunge the country into a crisis similar to what was witnessed in 2007.
They say recent developments in the country, particularly the handling of protests and preparations for the 2027 polls, are deeply troubling.
The experts included Electoral Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) executive director Felix Odhiambo, ELOG project coordinator Marcus Ageng’a and law lecturer Evans Ogada.
Read Also
The three formed part of an expert panel at a conference convened by the Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ).
ELGIA is a continental think tank focused on governance and democracy. It works to strengthen and consolidate constitutional democracy, good governance, human rights, and the institutional capacity of parliaments and electoral agencies across Africa.
The institute partners with continental and subregional organisations, including the African Union and the East African Community.
“What I’m seeing ahead of 2027 is worrying,” Odhiambo said.
“I see politicians mobilising militias as part of their strategy, and the interest-ridden process of picking IEBC commissioners is akin to what happened before 2007, when the appointment of ECK commissioners was widely questioned.”
He cited the recent ODM grassroots elections in its Nyanza stronghold, where violence and fatalities occurred, with contestants allegedly hiring armed gangs to intimidate their opponents.
“The ODM elections were a pointer to what politicians—both in opposition and in government—are willing to do to retain power. We are also seeing efforts to revive Mungiki. Historically, whenever the Mt Kenya and Rift Valley regions do not vote together, there has always been bloodshed,” he said.
Ogada, like Odhiambo, emphasised that Kenyans, especially young people, must not surrender their fate to politicians and power brokers.
He condemned the conduct of the police in handling protests and criticised what he described as the overreach of powerful interests trying to stifle dissent.
“It is up to the young people to rise up and lead us in forming a multigenerational movement. It will take all of us standing up for the rule of law—using the courts both locally and internationally, as well as peaceful civil disobedience,” the law lecturer said.
Ageng’a said Kenya’s electoral processes have shown steady improvement since 2013.
However, he said, robust measures must still be put in place to ensure the credibility of future elections.
“As ELOG, we deployed 5,108 observers during the last general election. But that was not enough, we had over 40,000 polling stations, so we had to develop a sampling method to project an overview of the process,” he said.
“We need Kenyans to be vigilant and actively involved in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.”
ICJ Council chairman Protus Saende said convening the dialogue on a citizens’ assembly years before the election is a critical step.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!