Half of Kenyans Believe 2027 Elections Are Already Rigged – TIFA Report
A new report by TIFA has revealed that 50% of Kenyans have “no confidence at all” in the integrity of the upcoming 2027 general elections, citing fears of political interference, corruption, and failure by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Released on Wednesday, May 7, the survey paints a troubling picture of public perception toward Kenya’s electoral process just two years ahead of the polls. TIFA notes that the widespread distrust is being fuelled by familiar concerns — manipulation by political elites, questionable procurement practices, and the IEBC’s own performance issues.
“Among the 50% of Kenyans who have no confidence in the next election’s integrity, the most commonly expressed concerns are about political interference (30%), graft (29%), and failures of the IEBC (23%),” the report stated.
An additional 18% of respondents cited other possible threats to free and fair elections, including insecurity, refusal of candidates to accept defeat, technological failures, and inadequate preparation time.
Optimism Remains in Minority
While half of Kenyans doubt the integrity of the next elections, only 20% said they are “very confident” in a free and fair process. Another 21% are “somewhat confident,” while 9% remain unsure.
The national survey, conducted between May 2 and May 6, polled 2,024 respondents across key regions including Nairobi, Mt Kenya, Central Rift, Western, Coast, Lower Eastern, South Rift, Nyanza, and Northern Kenya.
Faith in Past Elections Also Low
The report further notes that 64% of respondents believe none of the last three presidential elections — 2013, 2017, or 2022 — were valid.
Residents of Nyanza were the most skeptical, with 48% outrightly rejecting all three elections as illegitimate. In contrast, Mount Kenya (39%) and Central Rift (38%) recorded the highest levels of trust in past elections.
“Twice as many of those who have no such confidence about the next elections believe that none of the last three official presidential results were true compared to those who believe all were valid (64% vs 32%),” the report notes.
IEBC Readiness in Question
Even more concerning is the public’s lack of awareness about the IEBC’s constitutional obligations. According to the report, 68% of Kenyans did not know that the electoral commission had missed a critical legal deadline — the review of constituency boundaries, which should have been completed by February 2024.
With the IEBC still grappling with key vacancies and pending reforms, the report underscores a brewing crisis of confidence in the body mandated to oversee Kenya’s democracy.
In other news:DCI Orders Homa Bay Politician Philip Aroko to Surrender Over MP Were’s Murder
Half of Kenyans Believe 2027 Elections Are Already Rigged – TIFA Report