By Bonface Mulyungi

Siaya Governor James Orengo has revealed that he does not have faith in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of the next General Election.

Speaking during an interview with a local media outlet on Monday, May 26, 2026, Orengo said that although he lacks confidence in the commission, he still believes in the country’s legal and constitutional framework.

“I do not have faith in it (while responding to a question on whether he has faith in the commission), but I have faith in the law and the Constitution applied to the latter,” Orengo said.

Electoral laws

Orengo maintained that Kenya’s democratic institutions and constitutional safeguards remain key in ensuring free and fair elections despite doubts surrounding the electoral agency.

According to Orengo, the commission in many times interfere with the electoral laws and the technological system outlined in the constitution.

“A lot of times, they interfere with the electoral laws, process and practically the technology provided by the constitution,” Orengo said.

Orengo on Ruto’s power retention

Orengo has also warned that President William Ruto could attempt to cling to power even if he loses the 2027 general election, citing what he described as growing authoritarian tendencies and regional political influences.

Speaking in an interview on Herman Manyora’s Podcast on Friday, April 24, 2026, Orengo said that while an outright electoral victory for Ruto may be difficult due to shifting voter dynamics, the real concern lies in how power could be retained outside the ballot.

“I think it is a possibility, even in terms of rigging, I don’t see the pathway to victory for him, because the demographics completely work against him,” he said.

According to Orengo, the president has already lost significant political ground in key regions, particularly in Mount Kenya, which played a decisive role in the 2022 election.

IEBC warns on election rigging claims

In a press release issued Tuesday, May 26, 2027, the commission said recent statements by some politicians suggesting they could influence the outcome of the 2027 presidential election risk undermining public confidence in Kenya’s democratic institutions and electoral processes.

The electoral body said the utterances had created anxiety within the political environment and warned that such remarks were intended to instil fear, mislead the public and erode trust in the integrity of elections.

“These utterances, which have elicited considerable disquiet within the electoral environment, pose a real risk of distorting public perception of Kenya’s democratic processes. IEBC considers such utterances to be unacceptable, reckless, and entirely baseless,” IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon insisted.

“For avoidance of doubt, the duty and responsibility of conducting and supervising elections in Kenya is exclusively vested in the IEBC under Article 88 of the Constitution of Kenya. This mandate is not shared with, nor can it be usurped by, any individual, institution or political actor,” IEBC stated.