The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned political parties and aspirants against violent primaries, terming them a serious threat to democracy.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Constitutional Implementation and Oversight on Thursday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon said the chaotic scenes during the ODM primaries in Kasipul Constituency on Wednesday, which left several people injured and property destroyed, were “unacceptable.”
“Our elections, whether party primaries, general elections, or by-elections, must be free from violence, intimidation, and harassment. We urge caution, calm, and a fair playing ground for Kenyans to exercise their democratic right to choose leaders,” he said.
The comments come after ODM primaries in Kasipul Constituency were on Wednesday, 24, 2025, marred by chaos, delaying the start of the exercise that was expected to begin at 8 am.
The party confirmed in a statement that one of the aspirants, Newton Ogada, is alleged to have stormed the election materials distribution centre with a group of hired youths, disrupting the process and issuing threats to election officials.
The incident reportedly created panic among staff, including the Returning Officer, forcing a temporary suspension of activities at the centre.
ODM further stated that the situation was aggravated by the unexpected arrival of HomaBay County Deputy Governor, Oyugi Magwanga, who is not a candidate in the primaries.
His presence, according to the party, added to the tension and further delayed the start of the nomination exercise.
The Chairperson of the National Elections Coordinating Committee (NECC), Emily Awitta, condemned the acts of intimidation and disruption, terming them “barbaric and egregious.”
On delimitation, Ethekon further noted that the commission may postpone constituency boundary delimitation, citing impractical timelines before the 2027 elections.
“We need two to three years to conduct this technical and emotive issue,” Ethekon said, stressing that Parliament must act to prevent a constitutional crisis.
The Constitution mandates boundary reviews at intervals of eight to 12 years, to be completed at least a year before a general election.
The last review, conducted in 2012, set the clock for the current cycle. The minimum eight-year period ended in 2020, while the 12-year maximum expired in March 2024.
The IEBC also announced plans to register more than 6.3 million new voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, with a strong focus on youth.
Continuous voter registration will commence on Monday, September 29, across the country, except in areas where by-elections are scheduled.