- IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon says stealing an election in Kenya is impossible.
- He notes that observers, media and officials make the process very open.
- Warns politicians against threatening electoral officers.
IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon has insisted that Kenya’s election system is too open for anyone to attempt rigging. He said the voting and counting process is surrounded by observers, media teams and trained officials who ensure every step is monitored.
Speaking on Monday, December 8, 2025, during the IEBC Stakeholder Engagement Forum that reviewed the November 27 by-elections, Ethekon urged politicians to stop chasing shortcuts and instead invest in proper campaigns.
According to him, the perception that elections can be “stolen” should be discarded.
“How can someone steal an election when the media and observers are watching? Where would you smuggle votes from?” he posed.
Ethekon also raised concern over incidents where some political players attempted to influence or pressure electoral officials during the recent by-elections. He said such acts are dangerous, unfair and against the law.
He emphasised that threatening returning officers or IEBC staff is simply an attempt to secure an illegitimate win.
“If you trust your campaign, why would you intimidate our officers? That only shows you want a victory that is not deserved,” he noted.
His remarks follow the commission’s earlier defence of its performance. IEBC maintains that it delivered a transparent and credible exercise in the November 27 polls.
Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, speaking in a media interview last week, rated the commission’s work at 95%, saying IEBC met key election standards of secrecy, fairness and transparency.
According to Mukhwana, the small remaining margin depends on state agencies supporting the electoral process.
“Our duty is guided by the Constitution. An election must allow citizens to vote freely, without interference. On this, we performed exceptionally,” he explained.
