Kalonzo, UK envoy discuss IEBC readiness ahead of 2027 polls

Nairobi, Kenya - Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka expressed concerns over the readiness of Kenya's electoral body and escalating political intolerance ahead of the 2027 General Election during meetings with British High Commissioner Matt Baugh. The former Vice President emphasized the significance of a credible election process for public confidence, stressing that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must be fully prepared well before Kenyans cast their votes.

Kalonzo and Baugh discussed various national and international matters, including the state of Kenya's democratic institutions and the growing hostile political climate. "I underscored that a credible and fully prepared IEBC is indispensable for the legitimacy of our democracy and that dissent must never be criminalized nor mistaken for enmity," Kalonzo stated.

As political parties and candidates prepare for the 2027 elections, the discussions over electoral preparedness, political freedoms, and the treatment of dissenters are anticipated to be central in the political discourse. Kalonzo reiterated the Wiper Patriotic Front's commitment to a peaceful electoral process and thanked Baugh for the continuous engagement with Kenya's democratic process, urging international partners to support a peaceful and credible election environment.