The United Opposition has broken its silence on a high-profile meeting with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) at Anniversary Towers today, citing concerns over electoral credibility ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The delegation, led by ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alongside Kalonzo Musyoka of the Wiper Patriotic Front, Martha Karua of PLP, Eugene Wamalwa of DAP-K, and Jubilee deputy leader Fred Matiang’i, described the meeting as a courtesy call aimed at formally engaging the newly-constituted electoral body.
Speaking to journalists, Kalonzo Musyoka expressed dissatisfaction with recent by-election outcomes, saying the opposition perceives the commission as biased. “We were very candid. We are not happy with the process and outcome of the by-elections. The perception out there is that this is a William Ruto commission,” he said. He also criticized the procurement of the KIEMS kits and the involvement of Smartmatic, which he described as globally discredited, insisting that the commission must provide demonstrable transparency.
Fred Matiang’i termed the engagement constructive, noting that it marked the first time the IEBC committed to a structured framework for ongoing dialogue. “We had a cordial conversation and agreed to institutionalize our interaction with them. We will have another meeting to address the issues raised,” he said.
Rigathi Gachagua warned that the upcoming February by-election would serve as a litmus test for the IEBC, pledging mass action if malpractice is detected. “Elections are very emotive. If the people feel the elections are not credible, temperatures will rise. Let us give them the benefit of the doubt,” he stated.
The opposition says the talks concluded with an agreement to establish a framework to address grievances before the 2027 polls.