Edwin Sifuna Cautions IEBC against Interfering With 2027 Elections: "Hamtatulazimishia Rais"
- Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna raised alarm over potential 2027 election manipulation by the IEBC
- He questioned the commission's handling of parliamentary nomination and by-election timelines
- The lawmaker urged Kenyans to remain vigilant and resist any interference in their will
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TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Isinya, Kajiado: Political tensions stirred as Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna issued a firm warning to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Source: UGC
Speaking during the funeral of Kisii governor Simba Arati’s sister on Sunday, August 10, Sifuna accused the commission of laying the groundwork for potential manipulation of the 2027 General Election results.
"I know Kenyans have already decided. I can feel it. If you give the ballots right away, they will send many leaders home. And when Kenyans will have decided in 2027, let somebody not try to mix the results, or go against the decision of Kenyans," Sifuna declared.
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He said recent decisions by the reconstituted commission were already signalling possible mischief, raising concerns over its impartiality.
Was there a problem with IEBC's replacement of John Mbadi?
The senator criticised the IEBC’s choosing of Kipchumba Harold Kimuge to replace former nominated MP John Mbadi, who left Parliament after being appointed Cabinet secretary for the national treasury.
According to Sifuna, the replacement breached electoral law because Mbadi had been nominated under workers category, which should have been preserved in appointing his successor.
"The law says if a lawmaker was nominated under youth category, their replacement should come from under that category. If they were under women, workers or people living with disability (PWD), you look for the next in line in the same category. It is not possible that if one was in a list of PWDs for instance, then you choose his replacement from workers category," he explained.
He further argued that such decisions weaken representation for the affected groups and revealed that a young leader from Kajiado, who was next in line, was overlooked for the position.
Has IEBC broken election rules?
Sifuna also accused the IEBC of flouting another legal requirement that by-elections be held within 90 days of a vacancy being declared.
"They’ve instead scheduled by-elections on November 27, which is almost one hundred and ten days from when they gazetted. They are blatantly breaking the law," he said.
Source: Facebook
Sifuna told mourners he had previously raised the matter of Mbadi’s replacement with the IEBC, only to be advised to challenge it in court.
He likened this to what he feared could happen in 2027, where the commission might attempt to alter the people’s will and direct aggrieved parties to the courts.
"In 2027 we can say 'wantam', and then they say 'tutam' then tell us to go to court if we want. I want you Kenyans to have your eyes wide open. I want those our brothers to understand that we will not allow interference in the voice of the people. You cannot force a president on us when we have said he should go home," he warned.
Did Atwoli warn Sifuna, young leaders from Western?
In a related development, COTU boss Francis Atwoli dismissed the influence of young leaders, especially from the Western region, saying the 2027 elections would be decided by political heavyweights like President William Ruto and Raila Odinga.
He insisted that veteran politicians would continue steering the country's leadership for years.
His remarks sparked backlash from Sifuna, who accused Atwoli of underestimating the role of the youth in shaping Kenya’s future.
The senator further countered Atwoli’s claim by suggesting that the so-called “political password” held by older leaders was outdated and unreliable.
He maintained that the younger generation had the capacity to chart a new course for the nation.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
