Orengo Expresses Concerns Over Conduct of 2027 Elections

Siaya Governor James has expressed concern over the independence of the electoral body ahead of 2027.

Speaking in Siaya County on Wednesday, April 30, Orengo noted that the next elections may not be free and fair should external forces control the IEBC.

He expressed that the new commissioners to be appointed to the IEBC would not be able to execute their mandate unless they are given the space to do so.

"The last free and fair election that we had was in 2002. If we are not careful, even this election that is coming is not going to be free and fair," the county boss remarked.

"I am looking at it critically, even with the IEBC. The membership that is going to come out of this process, I am sure, unless they are allowed the space, Kenya is not going to have free and fair elections."

On the other hand, the governor also lamented over attempts to destabilise the independence of the judiciary.

He even added that he would be ready to go back to the streets and join the young people in pushing for a better Kenya.

"I am prepared to go back to jail. I am prepared to go back to the streets. This is not a country to be proud of. This is a country where the young people have to come out, and we are prepared to join you."

"Our institutions are under trial. There is no single institution that is not under trial. If you go to the Supreme Court, there are a lot of questions that are being raised about the principal judicial organ," he stated.

Orengo has been critical of President William Ruto's regime despite the MoU signed between ODM and UDA. This has seen him come under sharp criticism from leaders of both political parties.