Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen have warned opposition leaders against interfering with the work of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, urging them instead to sell their policies to Kenyans ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Kipsamoo in Kapseret constituency, Uasin Gishu County, the leaders said politicians seeking to challenge President William Ruto should focus on convincing voters that they have better ideas for running the country rather than undermining electoral institutions.
Kindiki said the government would not allow politicians to create unnecessary tension around the electoral process or interfere with institutions mandated to oversee elections.
“IEBC does not vote, sell your manifesto to Kenyans and stop attacking the commission,” Kindiki said.
“IEBC should be allowed to do their work without any intimidation by anyone.”
The leaders were responding to concerns raised by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who last week claimed that the commission was considering awarding an election technology contract to a South Korean firm.
Kindiki said the government was not seeking electoral favours from IEBC and would instead rely on its development record to win re-election.
Murkomen echoed the sentiments, accusing sections of the opposition of creating controversy around the electoral body instead of preparing to face voters on the basis of their track record and policy proposals.
“You see someone talking about the IEBC. He wants to be the contractor, candidate, and referee at the same time,” Murkomen said.
The CS urged opposition leaders to stick to their political roles, expressing concern over what he termed a lack of clear ideas, policies and an agenda among some opposition leaders, including young politicians.
“I’m surprised to see young people of my age campaigning and saying that a manifesto is not important,” he said.
“There has never been an opposition that is as poor in ideas and policies as what we have right now.”
Murkomen also defended Ruto’s development record, saying it was the best in the country’s history.
“They want to challenge President Ruto, whose track record is second to none,” he said.
Kindiki challenged the opposition to take its agenda to voters and allow Kenyans to decide who should lead them.
“Let them go to the people and sell their policies. Let Kenyans decide who they want to lead them,” he said.
The leaders said political competition was a normal feature of democracy but warned against allowing it to degenerate into attempts to disrupt constitutional institutions or create instability.
They also issued a strong warning against what they described as a growing culture of political goonism, saying the government would not tolerate violence, intimidation or organised disruption of public activities ahead of the elections.
“Going into the next elections, there are handful politicians using goons to disrupt their rival rallies and political activities. As a ministry we will deal with these goons, competition in politics is not goonism,” Murkomen said.
“We will make sure the question of goons is dealt with finality.”
