With the opposition continuing to set the tone for the 2027 general election in the country, Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has moved to ensure all areas are fully addressed and made transparent.
Onyonka, who has been popularising former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i’s presidential bid on Thursday, May 29, 2025, initiated a debate on how the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) handles the votes of Kenyans living abroad.
In a statement published by the Parliament of Kenya, the vocal lawmaker sought a statement from the Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs, and Human Rights Committee to spell out how the IEBC picks polling centres for Kenyans living abroad.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), as required by Article 88(4) of the Constitution and Regulation 34 of the Election (Voter Registration) Regulations 2012, is responsible for ensuring continuous registration of Kenyan citizens abroad,” he told the House.
Clear criteria
As part of his submission, Onyonka asked the committee to establish how IEBC picks and approves foreign polling stations.
He also asked the committee to explain the procedures for diaspora voter registration, education, and casting of ballots.
According to the statement, Onyonka reiterated the need for clear provisions to ensure transparency, accountability, and access to information for Kenyans abroad.
Further, Onyonka argued that the electorates outside the country must be well-informed about their eligibility, rights, and the exact location of polling stations within their respective regions.
Opposition demands
Onyonka’s sentiments came back on the heels of the opposition’s push for inclusion in the IEBC commissioners selection process. In early May 2025, the opposition claimed that nominees presented to Parliament for approval to take up management of the electoral body are a project to rig the 2027 General Election.
In a statement, the opposition figures, led by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accused President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga of selecting commissioners who are linked to them or their allies, compromising the integrity of the process.
“President William Ruto has handpicked a partisan IEBC, tailored to serve his 2027 re-election ambitions. This is not a commission for the people. It is a project designed to rig the next election in broad daylight, with the silent approval of his newfound ally, Raila Odinga.”
“The constitutional principles of consultation, public participation, and political neutrality were completely discarded,” it noted.
They have, however, continued to hold meetings where they are orchestrating a scheme to unseat Ruto in the 2027 polls.
