Workers union warn politicians against threatening IEBC officials ahead of 2027 polls

The Kenya Independent Commissions Workers Union (KICOWU) has warned politicians against threatening Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officials, urging them to focus on convincing voters rather than scapegoating electoral staff for their political losses.

The warning follows recent remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who suggested that the country could descend into chaos if the IEBC allegedly interferes with the 2027 General Election.

“If the IEBC tries to mess with the 2027 elections, there will be no country here, and 2027 will look like a Christmas party,” Gachagua warned during an interview on the Obinna Show.

“I want to urge the IEBC Commissioners to be Kenyans and be patriotic and not to attempt to force William Ruto on the people of Kenya. It will not work.”

KICOWU, in a statement on Saturday, condemned the remarks, describing them as inflammatory and likely to incite political violence. The union accused a section of politicians of habitually targeting the electoral body whenever they sense defeat, instead of addressing their failure to win public trust.

“The union has noted that politicians who fail to convince the electorate to elect them always direct their failures, anger and distress on the electoral body, its officials and staff alike,” KICOWU Secretary General Njeru Kanyamba said.

“It should be noted that IEBC does not elect leaders, but Kenyans do. The work of the IEBC is to announce leaders who have won elections. Any candidate who feels aggrieved by the outcome of the election results is always advised to seek redress in the court of law as provided for by our constitution.”

Kanyamba said the union will not allow IEBC staff, many of whom are KICOWU members, to be used as scapegoats or punching bags by the political class. He noted that past threats and attacks have forced some officials into exile or put their lives and those of their families in danger.

“It should not be lost that previously IEBC officials—and who are also our members—have faced threats to their lives, deaths, and even some going into exile, for fear of their lives and their families in election-related disputes,” he said.

“As a union we shall not sit back as our members, either on permanent or contractual employment terms, are made punching bags by the political class who instead of campaigning and convincing voters to elect them, they are busy looking for scapegoats and excuses in the electoral body whenever they lose an election or after sensing defeat.”

The union called on security agencies to closely monitor political rhetoric and provide adequate protection to all IEBC staff.

“We also call upon the security agencies to take note of leaders beating drums of war, hatred and discord as we approach the 2027 General Elections,” KICOWU said.

“The Inspector General of Police should also enhance the security of all IEBC officials and staff now, during and after the 2027 General Election. IEBC officials and staff are Kenyans who deserve respect.”

Expedite process

KICOWU further urged Parliament to expedite the vetting process of IEBC nominees to give the commission enough time to prepare for the next polls and pending by-elections.

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“In light of the above development we call upon the National Assembly to expedite the process of vetting the new IEBC Commissioners so that they have ample time to settle and prepare for the 2027 elections and other long overdue by-elections which are important national duties in promotion and advancement of democracy of our country,” he said.

The union called for restraint in political speech, urging politicians to be careful with their choice of words.

“Let everyone of us be cautious and exercise constraint of the words coming from our mouths during political campaigns, during elections and at any other time as we seek political positions for ourselves and our supporters. This country belongs to all of us, and no one is safe if it plunges into chaos and anarchy,” he said.

Gachagua’s remarks triggered strong condemnation from various leaders, including Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who cautioned that Kenya will never return to election-related violence under the current administration.

“Kenya will never return to political violence. Not in 2027, not at any other time in future. Our country learnt hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence. Never again. Henceforth, Kenya’s leadership contests will revolve around who has better ideas to transform the country,” he said.

He affirmed that national leadership must now be driven by ideas, not threats.

“The debate cannot be about the fear-mongering of desperate, vengeful, thoughtless and pretentious leaders,” he said.

Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika also weighed in, accusing the former deputy president of incitement and political desperation.

“This is an extremely reckless statement from a so-called leader. Coming from a County that bore the brunt of the 2007/08 post-election violence, this is unacceptable,” Kihika said on social media.

“Mr. Gachagua must be called out by all right-thinking Kenyans, and he must stop imagining that his impeachment is a national crisis for which the country should burn. In the words of Prof. George Saitoti, ‘there comes a time when a country is bigger than an individual.’ Mr. Gachagua, that time is now.”

Saboti MP Caleb Amisi also criticised what he termed as “drums of war” being sounded by Gachagua and other leaders.

“No Kenyan will ever rise against his fellow Kenyan because of tribal nonsense,” Amisi said.

“Kenyans are not stupid to hack each other so that you can come to one table and negotiate for power sharing.”

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, while attending a funeral in Matisi, Kitale, warned that Gachagua’s words were deeply irresponsible and risked undermining national peace.

“Announcing that the 2027 elections will be marred by more violence than the 2007 elections is dangerous. People lost loved ones in the violence, some have not recovered from the trauma of that loss,” Murkomen said.

“This kind of talk is enough to bar a person from holding any public office. Don’t harm the entire country because of your political problems. People will not die for you to occupy office.”