The United Opposition will soon unveil the People’s IEBC, a parallel electoral oversight body aimed at counterchecking the 2027 general election, PLP leader Martha Karua has revealed.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 23, Karua said the time had come to end electoral malpractice in the country, stressing the need for free and fair polls.
She urged Kenyans to register in large numbers, turn out to vote, and protect their votes to ensure the integrity of the process.
“This election will be like that of 2002; there will be no rigging. As the United Opposition, we are setting up a People’s IEBC, which will be unveiled soon. The network this people-driven body will establish is not just for election day; it will monitor the entire electoral process, because elections are not a one-day event,” Karua stated.
According to Karua, the People’s IEBC would be tasked with tracking the electoral process, issuing forecasts, sounding early warnings, and ultimately safeguarding the vote.
“What else can we do when we are dealing with a thieving regime, with leaders walking free, chest-thumping, and openly admitting how they plan to rig the election in favour of Ruto?” the PLP leader posed.
Explaining its legality, Karua assured that having a People's IEBC is acceptable under the constitution, because these are two different sides recognised as multiparty politics. Karua admitted that she had no confidence in IEBC.
“We will return blow for blow, but we will also put in place mechanisms to prevent such actions,” Karua stated.
Her remarks come amid rising political tension following recent controversial comments by a leader allied to President William Ruto, who openly declared that Ruto must be re-elected in 2027, even if it means rigging the vote.
On July 12, Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow publicly exposed an alleged plot to manipulate the 2027 General Election in Ruto’s favour. She boldly claimed that MPs from the North Eastern region were prepared to support the President’s re-election bid and, if necessary, rig the outcome should the numbers fall short.
“We, MPs from North Eastern, support the President. Even if we don’t have the votes, we will loot them for him… that’s no secret,” she said.
Although Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi distanced the government from the remarks and reprimanded the leader for making them, it was not the first time Kenya Kwanza politicians have made statements suggesting plans to forcefully rig the election in favour of the President.
