Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hit back at opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka over claims that the Kenya Kwanza government is planning to rig the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during a visit to Kuria East, Kindiki said the opposition was in panic mode and had resorted to blackmailing the newly sworn-in electoral commission.

“Our opponents are already panicking and blackmailing the newly sworn in IEBC. Commissioners are referees. They have no capacity to favour you in an election or influence results in your favour,” Kindiki said on Saturday.

He dismissed the claims made by Kalonzo, who had earlier warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against interfering with the 2027 polls. Kalonzo had alleged that the electoral body was handpicked by President William Ruto and could not be trusted to run a fair election.

“The new IEBC has been sworn in today, and one thing is very obvious: This is a handpicked Ruto commission. To the new IEBC, please do not try Kenyans. Already, the irregularities are far too many. Therefore, stand warned that any attempt to tamper with the electoral process will be met with unrelenting resistance. The will of the people is not negotiable,” Kalonzo said on Friday.

But the Deputy President dismissed the concerns, saying the IEBC does not have the power to alter election outcomes and that the Kenya Kwanza administration has no intention of seeking favours from the commission.

“In fact, we are so clear in our minds. We don't need any favour from IEBC. Doing so would be unconstitutional and breaking the law of our land. We wish IEBC well. We are telling our opponents to go and prepare themselves for a major duel,” he said.

Kindiki insisted that their re-election plan is grounded in development and service delivery, not backdoor deals. He said the administration is focused on policies that uplift citizens and develop all regions of the country.

“We have our work plan clear. We are developing every part of our country. We are empowering our citizens through transformative policies and programmes. That is how we will approach Kenyans for a second term. That's why we are saying Two-Term,” he added.

The remarks by both leaders come just hours after the new IEBC team was officially sworn in by Chief Justice Martha Koome. While the opposition remains vocal about the neutrality of the new commissioners, government leaders have continued to defend the team’s independence and credibility.