NAIROBI, Kenya Jul 15 – Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Moses Atulala has warned that continued political attacks on the electoral body risk undermining public confidence in the commission and could trigger widespread rejection of the 2027 General Election results.

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking during an interview on NTV on Wednesday morning, Atulala cautioned that the persistent discrediting of the electoral referee by political actors is creating conditions that could lead to a legitimacy crisis regardless of who wins or loses the next election.

He stressed that safeguarding the credibility of the IEBC is in the national interest and not merely about protecting the institution’s image.

“It is not in the interest or benefit of the IEBC that the commission looks good. It is in the interest of all Kenyans,” Atulala said.

📌 What You Need to Know

He warned that if attacks against the commission continue unchecked, the country risks entering the 2027 elections with a deeply divided electorate unwilling to accept the final outcome.

“If the IEBC continues to be bashed every day, then by the time it presides over the 2027 elections, the ground will already have been prepared for rejection of the results either way,” he added.

According to the commissioner, sustained efforts to erode public trust in the electoral body could result in both winners and losers facing legitimacy challenges, creating fertile ground for political instability and civil unrest.

Atulala argued that undermining the credibility of the electoral referee ultimately threatens Kenya’s democratic future.

Responding to concerns over whether the commission has done enough to curb inflammatory political rhetoric ahead of the elections, Atulala defended the IEBC’s approach, saying the commission has been actively engaging other state institutions to maintain order and accountability.

He disclosed that the electoral agency is working closely with the National Police Service and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) to address electoral offences and penalise those responsible for incitement and political violence.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya