The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has strongly condemned remarks made by Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow, who publicly suggested that lawmakers from the Northeastern region would rig the 2027 General Election in favour of President William Ruto.

In a statement released on Sunday, July 13, 2025, the Commission termed Jehow’s comments as “reckless and unacceptable,” cautioning that such pronouncements threaten the integrity of the democratic process.

IEBC called on the public to disregard the sentiments, warning they could undermine confidence in future elections.

“The Commission is deeply concerned about statements alluding to electoral malpractice. Such utterances are irresponsible in a democratic setting, and we urge Kenyans to distance themselves from them,” read the statement.

Jehow sparked public uproar on Saturday, July 12, after addressing a gathering in Wajir where she openly claimed that regional leaders would go as far as manipulating votes to secure victory for the president.

Her controversial remark, “Even if we don’t have the votes, we will steal them for him,” quickly went viral, triggering backlash from opposition leaders, civil society actors, and members of the public.

The electoral body moved to clarify that no elections have been declared or gazetted, noting that Kenya is not currently in an election period.

The Commission explained that its Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee can only be activated during the legally defined election period, as outlined in the Constitution and affirmed by a Supreme Court ruling.

“In accordance with Article 84 of the Constitution and Section 110 of the Elections Act, the Commission shall establish the Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee only within an election period, as determined in Supreme Court Petition No. 23 (E026) of 2022 Hon. Sabina Chege case,” the IEBC stated.

The Commission further emphasized that no formal notice or gazettement has been made to mark the start of any electoral campaign, dismissing Jehow’s statement as premature and misleading.

IEBC Chairperson assured the public that the Commission, now fully constituted, is preparing to engage political actors and other stakeholders to enhance transparency and rebuild electoral confidence.

Political leaders, the IEBC noted, must exercise restraint and avoid making inflammatory remarks that could erode the credibility of democratic institutions.

The Commission reaffirmed its dedication to conducting free, fair, and impartial elections and urged citizens to rely solely on official communication from the IEBC for factual updates.