- Close allies of President Ruto publicly suggest plans to rig the 2027 election in his favour
- Kenya’s government remains largely silent despite public backlash and past electoral chaos
NAIROBI, KENYA – Three close allies of Kenyan President William Ruto have triggered fears of potential vote-rigging in the run-up to the 2027 general elections after publicly stating they would “add votes” to secure his re-election.
The remarks, made by MPs Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), William Kamket (Tiaty), and Fatuma Jehow (Wajir), have gone unaddressed by the State – including President Ruto himself – despite growing concern about the implications for Kenya’s democratic integrity.
All three politicians hail from different political parties. Sudi is a member of Ruto’s ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Jehow belongs to Raila Odinga’s opposition Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and Kamket is affiliated with the Kenya African National Union (KANU), led by Gideon Moi. Despite KANU’s opposition status, Kamket has become a staunch defender of the president.
Kamket first stirred controversy with similar comments last year. He repeated them on August 3 during a wedding ceremony in Uasin Gishu County, Ruto’s home region in the Rift Valley.
“Sometimes, I and Oscar (Sudi) make some uncomfortable remarks, that if the votes will not be enough, we shall add them. I emphasise: the votes must be enough at all costs,” Kamket said.
Sudi had earlier made similar remarks at a public event on June 20 in his constituency.
“If the votes will not be enough, we shall fill them with people. We shall not fill the ballot boxes with stones, but votes. If we see the votes are not enough, we shall ask for reinforcements… we must have enough votes,” Sudi declared, as the crowd cheered.
Rigging fears
Jehow was even more explicit in her comments, made on July 12.
“On our part, we are just waiting for the ballot boxes to be brought. Even if we shall not have votes, we shall rig for him [Ruto]. It is not a secret,” she said.
The silence from top government officials has sparked criticism, with only Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi issuing a caution on July 18 during a rally in Western Kenya.
“To those politicians seeking to be clapped for while in podiums… let us stop undermining the integrity of the IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission). Ruto will not rig, but seek votes from Kenyans,” Mudavadi said.
Legal experts have warned that such remarks could have serious repercussions, given Kenya’s history of post-election violence. In 2007, disputed presidential results sparked widespread unrest, leaving more than 1,100 people dead.
Bob Mkangi, a constitutional lawyer, said the State cannot afford to ignore such rhetoric.
“The State must act. If possible, it would be better for the President to address these claims because they are interpreted to represent his stand,” Mkangi told Allen Dreyfus.
Observers say the growing pattern of inflammatory political speech ahead of the 2027 polls could erode public trust in Kenya’s electoral institutions and trigger political instability unless swiftly addressed.
