Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi/HANDOUT
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has told opposition leaders to stop interfering with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, insisting that the independence of the commission must be respected.
Mudavadi said recent attacks from opposition politicians have targeted the IEBC to discredit it and taint the commissioners in a move aimed at delegitimising the outcome of the August 2027 election.
“Maintaining the integrity and public trust of the IEBC is critical for ensuring stable democratic processes and peaceful transitions of power. When the opposition attacks the referee, it seems they are not ready to get into the field,” Mudavadi warned.
Mudavadi said the country is not ready to witness another round of the divide-and-rule game, claiming that the opposition is trying to repeat what has happened in previous election years, especially during the late chairman Wafula Chebukati’s regime.
He defended the independence of the commission, citing the recent by-elections conducted by the Erastus Ethekon team as having been successful under the parameters of free, fair and credible polls.
“When the opposition won the Ol Kalou seat, they praised the IEBC, but a few weeks later they are out discrediting the same commission. What has changed all of a sudden? This opposition is scared to face President Ruto on the ballot,” Mudavadi posed.
“The opposition should stop dictating to the IEBC. Whatever decisions the commission makes are internal and guided by both the Constitution and law. When the commission decides on how to deploy its officers, the opposition should stop raising questions that some officers are being deployed at far-flung areas. Kenya is one and all voters have a right to vote freely without any discrimination. All Kenyans should be served equally by this commission to exercise their democratic right,” he added.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary was speaking at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu when he met with Western Kenya UDA aspirants from Kakamega and Vihiga counties in a consultative engagement to strengthen the party at the grassroots.
He emphasised that the strength and independence of the commission must be respected by all political actors ahead of the forthcoming General Election.
“We have seen politicians attacking the IEBC for the fear of compliance. They know that soon they will be a target for compliance with the electoral regulations ahead of the party nominations slated for early next year,” Mudavadi noted.
Mudavadi also criticised what he described as a lack of clear ideas and policies within the opposition, insisting that the UDA party will field candidates at all levels, from president to members of county assemblies, in the 2027 General Election.
He said UDA, under the broad-based arrangement, remains a strong party and that they are working to ensure that the party’s grassroots support base grows and remains strong ahead of the General Election.
“We want peace and we want a free and fair election, including the victory of President William Ruto, whom we are working hard to secure his second term with an undisputed margin against the opposition,” Mudavadi noted.
The Prime CS also called on the Western Kenya region to boost its numbers in terms of voter registration to help secure the victory for President Ruto.
He said the numbers in the region remain too low compared to the targets set ahead of the closure of the exercise.
“We have to come out as a people and encourage voter registration across all the counties. Our numbers are not looking good and we are ranked as a vote-rich region within the electoral framework,” Mudavadi urged.
