IEBC Chair Ethekon Edung/SCREENGRAB
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has vowed to protect the electoral agency’s independence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking on Wednesday during a high-level meeting of the National Election Security Roundtable Consultative Forum, Ethekon said the commission would discharge its mandate strictly in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws, insisting that the legal framework governing elections leaves little room for individual interference.
“Our elections are highly regulated by law and there's nowhere the law allows even the chairman of IEBC to put a comma anywhere," he stated.
"We will guard our independence at all costs," he added.
The IEBC chair further cautioned against narratives that could erode public confidence in governance institutions as the country draws closer to the 2027 polls.
“These are narratives that will lead to certain risks and to distrust our institutions,” Ethekon said.
He urged Kenyans and other stakeholders to be cautious about allegations made against institutions without supporting evidence, arguing that such claims could create doubt over the credibility of the electoral process before voting even begins.
“As we move towards 2027, we need to be careful about these narratives that have been woven around institutions of governance,” he said.
Ethekon also assured Kenyans that the IEBC would conduct its mandate within the confines of the law, saying the commission’s independence is protected by the Constitution.
He said the commission would therefore remain guided by the law in carrying out its responsibilities, adding that its constitutional independence would be protected.
“So, our independence is guaranteed by the Constitution and we shall be guided by that,” he said.
He also challenged media outlets and other actors to verify claims before presenting them as facts, particularly allegations suggesting that evidence exists of wrongdoing within the commission.
The commission chair called for greater fact-checking of what he described as “wild allegations”, arguing that some claims were calculated to create fear among voters and convince them that the 2027 elections would not be free and fair.
He challenged media outlets and other actors to verify claims before presenting them as facts, particularly allegations suggesting that evidence exists of wrongdoing within the commission.
“We shall call out those people and institutions, whether in the media or political or civic space, that without any justifiable reason tries to undermine IEBC and electoral process without fear or favour,” he said.
The chairperson said the commission’s focus would remain on safeguarding its independence and ensuring that the electoral process is conducted in accordance with the law.
