Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has challenged the opposition to prepare for the 2027 General Election instead of attacking the electoral commission, saying repeated criticism could raise unnecessary doubts about the credibility of the polls.
Mudavadi said political parties should respect the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) as it prepares to oversee the August 2027 election, warning that efforts to weaken confidence in the institution could affect the country’s political stability.
“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 said.
He defended the commission led by Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, saying its handling of recent by-elections had demonstrated that it was capable of conducting free, fair and credible elections.
Mudavadi singled out the Ol Kalou by-election, where an opposition candidate secured victory, as an example of the commission receiving praise from the same political side that has since raised questions about its work.
“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,” he said.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said Kenya could not afford to return to the political disputes that have followed past elections, referring to disagreements that arose around the former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
He also asked politicians to leave the commission to handle its internal administrative matters, including the deployment of electoral officials across the country.
“Whatever decisions the commission makes are internal and guided by both the Constitution and law,” he said.
Mudavadi said electoral officials should be able to perform their duties across the country without political interference, adding that voters in all areas should receive equal treatment and be allowed to participate in elections without discrimination.
Mudavadi said part of the growing pressure on the IEBC could be connected to the approaching party nomination season and the rules political parties and candidates will be expected to follow.
“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,” he said.
He made the remarks at the Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu during a meeting with UDA aspirants from Kakamega and Vihiga counties.
The engagement was aimed at strengthening the party’s grassroots networks as UDA prepares for the 2027 election.
Mudavadi said the party remained strong under the broad-based government arrangement and would present candidates across the political seats up for grabs in 2027.
He said UDA intends to compete for every level of elective office, from President to Members of County Assemblies, while continuing to build its support at the grassroots.
“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 said.
Mudavadi also turned his attention to voter registration, calling on residents of Western Kenya to ensure more eligible voters are enrolled before the exercise closes.
He said the region has a large voting population but has yet to meet the registration numbers expected of it.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary urged political leaders and residents across the region to encourage eligible citizens to register, saying higher numbers would strengthen Western Kenya’s position within the electoral process.
“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 said.