ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has strongly criticised claims of planned vote-rigging in favour of President William Ruto, warning that such actions are unlawful and could trigger serious consequences.
Speaking on Sunday, July 13, 2025, in Kabuchai, Bungoma County, Sifuna was reacting to recent controversial remarks by Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Jehow. Jehow had openly stated that MPs from the North Eastern region were ready to rig the 2027 general elections in support of President Ruto.
“Wewe unatuambia tungoje 2027, na marafiki zako wanatuambia mnapanga kuiba 2027,” Sifuna said.
Translation: You are telling us to wait for 2027, yet your friends are saying you plan to steal 2027.
He warned that such statements pose a direct threat to Kenya’s democracy, especially with the new Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) now in place.
“Mimi kama wakili, najua sheria hairuhusu mtu kuhujumu matokeo ya uchaguzi,” Sifuna said.
Translation: As a lawyer, I know the law does not allow anyone to tamper with election results.
He also demanded accountability from newly appointed IEBC Chair Erastus Ethekon and his team, calling on them to summon MPs like Jehow to answer for their remarks.
Rigging claims spark uproar
The Wajir MP, speaking in her home county a day before, had stirred a national uproar after claiming that were ready to rig.
“Hata kama hatutakuwa na kura, tutamwibia… hio si siri,” she said.
Translation: Even if we don’t have the votes, we will steal them for him… that’s no secret.
Her statement triggered public outrage and calls for investigation by civil society groups, who see it as undermining the integrity of the 2027 elections.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, in a separate event in Kuria East, defended the IEBC, calling it an independent body that cannot be manipulated. He dismissed the opposition’s concerns as “panic” and said Kenya Kwanza would seek re-election based on development achievements.
But Sifuna insisted that such loose talk from Kenya Kwanza allies could erode public trust in the newly reconstituted electoral body, which recently got the green light from the courts to proceed with by-elections in five constituencies.
“We are waiting for the ballot. By 8 am, Ruto will be on his way home,” Sifuna declared, signalling growing confidence from the opposition ahead of the 2027 polls.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
