These fears stem from several recent developments that have raised eyebrows among political leaders and ordinary Kenyans.
One of the main concerns is the delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has accused the government of deliberately postponing the formation of a new IEBC.
According to him, this delay could be a strategy to weaken the electoral body and make it easier to interfere with the upcoming elections. A strong and independent IEBC is crucial for free and fair elections, but many feel the delay is undermining this process.
Another issue is a proposed bill in the Senate that seeks to remove the requirement for live-streaming election results.
Transparency during elections has always been a key demand of the public, and live-streaming has helped build trust in the past.
Critics argue that scrapping this practice could open doors for manipulation and reduce public confidence in the final results.
Additionally, actions taken by President Ruto shortly after the 2022 elections have added to these fears. In December 2022, he suspended several IEBC officials who had questioned his victory.
Many saw this as a way of silencing dissent within the electoral commission. By removing officials who stood against him, critics believe the government might be trying to install a more compliant team ahead of 2027.
Some analysts have also accused Ruto's administration of using "state-choreographed delay tactics" in handling the IEBC issue. They argue that these delays are intentional and aimed at creating loopholes that could be exploited during the elections.
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