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Kindiki, Mudavadi weigh in on 2027 poll rigging claims
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have strongly refuted claims that President William Ruto plans to rig the 2027 General Election.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have dismissed claims that President William Ruto plans to rig the 2027 General Election, urging both the opposition and Kenya Kwanza leaders to avoid reckless statements that could undermine public trust in the newly reconstituted electoral commission.
Speaking during an empowerment event in Malava, Kakamega County, Mr Mudavadi cautioned Kenya Kwanza politicians against making inflammatory remarks, warning that such rhetoric risks fueling unnecessary political tension.
Prof Kindiki and Mr Mudavadi also warned leaders from their camp against careless utterances that could erode public confidence in the just reconstituted Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Speaking in Malava, in Kakamega County, during an empowerment program, Mr Mudavadi warned Kenya Kwanza leaders against careless remarks in public forums, noting that such talks are a recipe for political tension.
Mr Mudavadi assured Kenyans that President Ruto will win his second term through a democratic process.
“Let politicians from the Kenya Kwanza side saying that Ruto’s votes will be stolen, stop this foolishness. Ruto will not steal any votes, he will win the election fairly,” said Mr Mudavadi.
He urged Kenyans to maintain their trust in national institutions, particularly the IEBC, assuring that it will conduct a free and fair election.
He cautioned the opposition against attempts to discredit the IEBC, warning that the government will not allow the country to slide into anarchy.
“IEBC is not for the Kenya Kwanza government; it is for the Kenyan nation. Let us not cast doubt on the IEBC nor undermine its integrity. It will conduct free and fair elections. Opposition should stop planting seeds of discord so that when Ruto will win fairly through a transparent democratic process, they resort to chaos and disorder,” warned Mr Mudavadi.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary said President Ruto’s development record will easily earn him a second term.
Speaking in Shinyalu, Kakamega County during an empowerment programme for women groups, Mr Musalia dispelled reports from politicians from Western that he was planning to bolt out of Ruto’s government to run for presidency in 2027.
In what appeared to affirm his stay in Ruto’s camp, the PSC said that Ruto will once again beat the disorganised opposition hands down.
“In the build up to the 2022 elections, Moses Wetangula and I assessed the situation and noted that William Ruto would win the presidency. That is how we got aligned to him. Today, I stand here again to tell you that Ruto will win in 2027. Let my Luhya people know this and align themselves with the winning side,” he said.
Amid the growing political tension and speculation over potential alliances and rivalries shaping up ahead of the 2027 polls, Musalia assured that the coming elections will be peaceful and challenged the opposition to stop chest-thumping about winning in 2027.
He, at the same time, appealed to the Mulembe nation to consider voting for United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidates in the looming by-elections to affirm Dr Ruto’s strength on the ground.
Residents of Banisa, Magarini, Ugunja, Kasipul, Malava Constituencies and Baringo County are waiting for the mini-polls to elect their new MPs and Senator.
“We have a by-election in Malava and I ask my people to vote for a UDA candidate. We were in the Amani National Congress (ANC) with the late Malulu Injendi and Fredrick Ikana, but now we are in UDA. Stand with us in the Malava by-elections,” he said.
He assured voters in Malava that the UDA candidate in the by-election will be principled and visionary, able to bring development to the constituency.
“My people of Malava, I know you have always been wise in choosing leaders. I want to ask you to walk with us on this journey. Choose a leader who will stand up for the people and support the government for you to get more development,” he noted.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who was also present, rallied Kenyans to support Ruto’s re-election bid, highlighting a raft of development projects the Kenya Kwanza government was spreading across the country to justify Ruto’s second term.
“Kenya Kwanza government under President Ruto has delivered on key projects we promised during the last elections. There are evident projects in Affordable Housing, Agriculture, Healthcare, Electricity and Water connectivity,” said Mr Kindiki.
He reiterated that Ruto will win fairly in 2027, saying the Kenya Kwanza bandwagon was working hard, preparing for the next elections.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had accused President Ruto of intentionally manipulating the composition of the IEBC commissioners in a scheme to influence the electoral process and undermine the will of the people in the upcoming 2027 General Elections.
But Kindiki assured that the work of IEBC is to prepare for credible elections, regardless of who is holding which seat.
“Let the opposition prepare for the next general election through constructive engagement instead of engaging in unproductive rhetoric. How will 'Ruto must Go' slogan give them a win in 2027?” he posed.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula said the Kenya Kwanza team was moving around the country sensitising Kenyans on the importance of loving each other and promoting national unity.
He accused Mr Gachagua of attempting to hold the government at ransom after he was thrown out of Ruto’s administration.
“It must not be that the President has to come from a particular community for this country to enjoy peace. We all belong to Kenya and no one has the monopoly of leadership. We want any Kenyan from any part of the country to contest for leadership and enjoy his tenure in power. Stop inciting your people because the President does not come from your backyard,” he cautioned.
He defended the cooperation between President Ruto and former Premier Raila Odinga, saying it exhibits national unity and mature politics.
He said the relationship between the two was propelling the country forward.
“During elections, anybody can contest. After elections, leaders have to come together and drive the country forward. Elections are only there to choose a leader. After choosing leaders, we close our ranks, come together and look at how best we can make our country better,” he stated.
