Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair Erastus Ethekon has urged the country to adopt stronger measures against people who interfere with elections.
His message came during a Wednesday radio interview on November 18, 2025, where he stressed that Kenya must take electoral integrity more seriously by tightening laws that deal with election offences.
Ethekon explained that the current laws provide a good foundation, but there is still room to improve the system so that no one feels they can disrupt an election without facing serious consequences.
Ethekon reminded listeners that the Constitution gives the IEBC its authority under Article 88, and this mandate is supported by many laws that guide how elections are run. These laws are designed to make every stage of the electoral process clear and transparent, helping to build trust among citizens.
He noted that Kenya has made a lot of progress over the years, and the structure around elections is strong and detailed.
Even so, he believes there is value in strengthening the Election Offences Act so that penalties for misconduct are more severe and truly discourage bad behaviour.
During the interview, he expressed this point using simple language, saying that there are laws the commission has proposed to amend in order to make the election system even better.
He explained that enhancing punishment for those who interfere with voting or other key processes is necessary because such acts risk undermining the stability of the entire democratic process. He said that while the existing system works well, Kenyans always push for improvement, and that spirit of wanting to be the best is what motivates these proposed changes.
According to him, the call for amendments does not mean the system is broken but reflects the desire to keep strengthening what already works.
Ethekon added that Kenya’s elections are among the most regulated in the region. He said every activity, from voter registration to tallying, follows clear legal procedures.
He personally expressed confidence in the system, saying he has no worry about how elections are conducted. However, he emphasised that continued improvement is important because Kenyans expect high standards in every national process.
His comments come at a time when the IEBC has raised concerns about rising tension in certain areas ahead of the November 27 by-election.
Recently, the commission identified Kasipul Kabondo and Mbeere North as hotspots where campaigns have not been peaceful. In a statement issued on Friday, November 14, 2025, the IEBC said that while many other areas are enjoying calm campaigns, these two constituencies have recorded incidents of violence, intimidation, and inflammatory remarks.
The commission noted that such behaviour threatens the credibility of the upcoming by-election and called on leaders and supporters to observe the law and uphold peace.
The situation in Kasipul Kabondo and Mbeere North has made the IEBC’s call for stronger penalties even more urgent.
According to the commission, isolated cases of violence and threatening language can quickly escalate if not addressed early.
This is why Ethekon’s push for tougher laws is seen as part of a broader effort to protect the democratic process and ensure that every Kenyan can participate in elections without fear or interference.
