Africa-Press – Kenya. Leaders allied to the United Opposition have sought to calm fears of electoral malpractice ahead of the 2027 General Election, assuring supporters that their votes will be counted.
Speaking during a church service at PCEA Embakasi Parish in Nairobi, opposition figures Fred Matiang’i, Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua told congregants they are putting in place mechanisms to guard against any form of rigging.
Matiang’i, the former Interior Cabinet Secretary and Jubilee Party flagbearer, said his experience in the security sector gives him confidence that the integrity of the vote can be safeguarded.
“I guarded exams, and there was no cheating; nobody will steal our votes,” he declared.
The former CS argued that during his tenure in both the Education and Interior ministries, he successfully fought cheating and ensured strict compliance with the law, adding that similar vigilance would be applied in the coming polls.
Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), echoed Matiang’i’s sentiments, telling supporters not to worry about possible manipulation of results.
“I can see you had some fear that our votes would be stolen. It is just that you do not know how prepared we are,” he said.
In a show of confidence, Gachagua claimed the opposition had consolidated support across several regions of the country.
“We have cornered this administration, Kalonzo has locked Ukambani and Coast region. Tomorrow we will go to Kisii and Kuria to lock the region. Eugene Wamalwa, George Natembeya and Edwin Sifuna have locked western region. Nairobi is already locked and Mt Kenya too,” he said.
“Just relax, do not be worried,” he added.
Kalonzo took issue with recent remarks by President William Ruto, who declared that he would win the 2027 election with a margin of two to three million votes.
“When William Ruto says he will win the election with two million votes, what does he mean?” Kalonzo wondered.
The Wiper leader said the political mood in the country is shifting rapidly and that many Kenyans are eager for change.
He explained that the movement sweeping across the country is “revolutionary” in nature, arguing that citizens are determined to unseat the current administration through the ballot.
Other leaders at the service were LPL leader Martha Karua and her DAP-K counterpart Eugene Wamalwa.
The assurances by opposition leaders come amid ongoing public debate about the credibility of the 2027 polls.
Recently, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) dismissed claims of potential voter register manipulation, reaffirming that its data handling processes are lawful, secure and guided strictly by the Constitution and electoral laws.
In a press release dated February 16, the Commission responded to allegations raised by Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, clarifying that its collaboration with state agencies is routine and necessary for accurate voter registration and verification.
The IEBC explained that engagement with government agencies is meant to verify identity details and remove deceased persons from the voter register, not to interfere with the integrity of the roll.
