Human rights advocate and Raila Odinga’s former chief presidential agent, Saitabao ole Kanchory has expressed serious concerns regarding the credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). His apprehensions followed remarks made by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who confidently predicted President William Ruto’s re-election in 2027.
In a post on X dated January 29, 2026, Kanchory responded to Duale’s recent interview, where the cabinet secretary forecasted a substantial victory for Ruto. “William Ruto will win in 2027 by two million to three million votes. The rest are jokers; the serious competitor is not around,” Duale asserted. He further challenged the opposition’s ability to mobilize support, stating, “All these other oppositions cannot even fill Uhuru Park. Tell them to fill it, and I will pay. It is only William Ruto who can fill Uhuru Park.”
Kanchory highlighted the contradictions in Duale’s statements, particularly in light of ongoing controversies within the Ministry of Health. He remarked, “Just days after we witnessed billions being misappropriated under his watch, Duale claims he has the funds to personally incentivize millions of opposition supporters to fill Uhuru Park.”
While acknowledging some validity in Duale’s assessment of the opposition, Kanchory voiced deeper concerns regarding the implications for electoral integrity. “With this IEBC, Ruto will win by any margin he desires,” he stated, drawing attention to the critical discussions surrounding the independence and preparedness of the electoral body as the 2027 General Election approaches.
The political climate surrounding the IEBC remains charged. Recently, leaders from the United Opposition coalition convened with IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and commissioners to seek assurances for a transparent electoral process. What began as a courtesy call escalated into a tense discussion as opposition leaders raised alarms over security lapses observed during recent by-elections. They also urged the commission to discontinue further engagements with the Venezuelan-based technology firm Smartmatic.
“We have demanded free and fair elections,” asserted Martha Karua. Eugene Wamalwa cautioned against adopting disputed technology, stating, “This same technology was used in Uganda, and KIEMS kits failed; we do not want that in Kenya.” Kalonzo Musyoka added, “We have raised serious concerns about Smartmatic.”
In his remarks, Duale also addressed the state of the opposition, specifically referencing veteran leader Raila Odinga. “Raila Odinga’s political constituency and stature were like a pillar. That pillar has crashed, and to rebuild it will take time,” he noted. Duale maintained that no current opposition figure possesses the national support necessary to pose a serious challenge to President Ruto.
