Ethekon warns against election chaos as Koome demands action
National
By
Josphat Thiong’o
| Jun 25, 2026
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned that the surging electoral-related violence risks hindering the 2027 general election even as Chief Justice Martha Koome pushes for tough penalties on politicians who do not adhere to the code of conduct during the electioneering period.
The warning came on a day Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi launched a scathing attack against the commission. Muturi decried the continued lack of involvement of the united opposition in the electoral process by IEBC, accusing the electoral agency’s operations of being shrouded in secrecy. He also demanded for a fresh audit of the voters register.
IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon, who was speaking during the launch of the commission’s 2024 to 2029 strategic plan and the Election Operation Plan 2025-2027, raised alarm over the incessant cases of politically instigated violence simultaneously noting that unless security agencies decisively intervened, the incidents are a precursor to what awaits the country in2027.
During the event at KICC and graced by IEBC commissioners, Koome, representatives from the offices of the Speakers of Parliament, political party leaders such as Muturi and People’s Liberation Party Deputy leader Peter Kagwanja, Azimio Coalition’s spokesperson Caroli Omondi and the Registrar of political parties, Ethekon referenced the just concluded by-elections, terming them painful indicators of the forthcoming polls.
“In the last few months we have conducted 30 elections and through them we have learnt the relationship between our politics, violence and money is making our work difficult as IEBC. There is this inclination by politicians to bring in young people, arm them with sticks and crude weapons to “protect” their votes and when different groups clash we loose lives as was the case in Kasipul…” said Ethekon.
Toxic environment
“We call on security agencies to secure the elections. This strategic plan can speak of beautiful things but if the environment within which we hold elections is intoxicated, violent and unbearable then we cannot have an election and we need to bear that in mind,” added the chairperson.
He also outlined that the Election Operation plan was intended to strengthen the credibility, transparency, and inclusivity of the electoral process by ensuring timely planning and execution of electoral activities in a timely manner.
Koome also confronted the electoral violence bull by the horns, demanding that IEBC ensures the perpetrators face swift action regardless of political affiliation.
She questioned why it was only during political protests that lives were lost as opposed to those held by groups such as teachers, doctors, nurses or even nurses.
“How is it possible that there are approximately 2,000 people who make a living from politics but they manage to disrupt the lives of the millions of Kenyans. It is unacceptable,” remarked Koome. “I urge IEBC to understand that one of the surest ways of earning public trust in an electoral process is through the firm, consistent and impartial enforcement of the electoral code of conduct…you cannot say your hands are tied. Tied by who? You have the code of conduct, when someone breaches it please disqualify them.”
And while hailing the strategic plan by IEBC as progressive and geared towards ensuring unity in the country, the CJ said its true measure will be in the confidence it inspires among citizens and the extent to which it strengthens the credibility of elections.
“This Strategic Plan identifies strengthening of the electoral legal framework as a key strategic priority. This is both timely and necessary. As a nation, we must continue working towards harmonising electoral laws and regulations to eliminate inconsistencies and provide greater clarity to all electoral stakeholders. We must address legal gaps identified and ensure that electoral timelines, dispute resolution mechanisms, and election management processes are clearly defined and understood,” said Koome.
At the same time, leaders from the united opposition have accused IEBC of bias, noting that the Ethekon-led commission had refused to yield to its requests for a stakeholder engagement and continued exclusion from the electoral process.
Muturi, while noting that the opposition had initially been sidelined from the launch of the strategic plan and elections operations plan, said the opposition had been denied an opportunity to give input on the same.
“We have come here because we believe elections are too important to be planned behind closed doors. Elections belong to the people not the IEBC secretariat. They do not belong to a few officials sitting in boardrooms. They do not belong to consultants, vendors, or bureaucrats. They belong to the sovereign people of Kenya whose votes determine the future of this nation,”said Muturi.
He found it troubling that IEBC sought to launch the plan “without demonstrating meaningful consultation with the stakeholders” who will ultimately be affected by it.
“An Elections Operations Plan is not an internal administrative document. It is a national covenant between the electoral management body and the people. It determines how elections will be conducted, how disputes will be managed, how technology will be deployed, how voters will be verified, how results will be transmitted, and ultimately how the sovereign will of the people will be expressed. Such a document cannot be developed in isolation and then presented to Kenyans as a finished product,” exclaimed Muturi.
He also took a swipe at the commission saying its attempt to “rush the launch raised serious concerns” and that the lack of inclusion eroded the commission’s credibility even before the elections commenced.
“IEBC must understand that legitimacy comes from participation, consultation and ensuring every stakeholder feels they have been heard and respected in the planning process. We reject any suggestion that stakeholder consultations were not conducted because of financial constraints. The cost of consultation is insignificant compared to the cost of a disputed election,” he added.
The leader buttressed that the opposition’s concerns also extended to the voter register, which remains a matter of national importance.
But in his response, Chairperson Ethekon promised to act on the concerns of the opposition by providing a platform for the same.