Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon has strongly defended the credibility of Kenya’s electoral system, insisting that the idea of rigging or manipulating results is “an impossibility” under the current framework.
Speaking during a media briefing, Ethekon emphasized that Kenya’s elections are safeguarded by multiple layers of transparency, oversight, and public participation, making it extremely difficult for anyone to tamper with the process.
“To steal an election in this country is an impossibility. Our officers, observers, and the media who witnessed these elections can confirm that it is impossible,” he said.
Ethekon highlighted several key factors that ensure the integrity of the vote:
1. Technology-Driven Transparency
The use of electronic voter identification and real-time transmission of results from polling stations has significantly reduced loopholes that were previously exploited. Each polling station’s results are transmitted directly to the national tallying center, minimizing human interference.
2. Presence of Observers and Media
Local and international observers, alongside accredited media houses, monitor the process from start to finish. According to Ethekon, this widespread visibility makes it impossible for anyone to manipulate numbers unnoticed.
3. Publicly Displayed Forms
Polling station results are openly displayed and copies shared with party agents, creating a public trail that can be cross-checked at any time. This ensures that the results announced nationally match those recorded at the grassroots.
4. Strict Audit Trails
Every step of the electoral process—including ballots, forms, and electronic systems—leaves an audit trail that can be independently verified by stakeholders.
Ethekon assured Kenyans that IEBC remains committed to conducting free, fair, and credible elections, urging citizens to trust the systems in place.
“As a country, we have grown. Our institutions have become stronger, and our people are more informed. No one can steal an election under such conditions,” he noted.
His remarks come at a time when election integrity continues to be a major point of discussion in Kenya’s political landscape. The IEBC hopes that increased transparency and reforms will continue to build public confidence ahead of future elections.
