Opposition leader Raila Odinga has reignited debate over Kenya’s electoral system, calling for sweeping reforms to reduce costs, eliminate inefficiencies, and curb corruption. Speaking during a live interview on NTV on Sunday, July 21, 2025, Odinga criticised the current framework administered by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), describing it as “bloated” and designed for looting.
“The system is bloated to enable looting,” Odinga said, specifically targeting the IEBC’s procurement-heavy approach. He proposed a radical shift—abolishing the current voter register and relying solely on national ID cards to vote.
“If you have an ID, you should vote,” he said. “Why are Kenyan elections among the most expensive in the world? It’s not rocket science. There are areas where people don’t have voter cards, and this skews the register.”
Odinga argued that the existing requirements for voter registration disenfranchise many Kenyans, particularly in remote and underserved regions where access to IEBC services is limited. He suggested that the process of acquiring a separate voter card opens loopholes for manipulation and corruption, effectively commercialising voter access.
Staggered Elections Proposal
The veteran politician also proposed staggering Kenya’s elections, rather than holding all six races—presidential, gubernatorial, senatorial, MP, Woman Representative, and MCA—on the same day. He described the current one-day model as chaotic, costly, and susceptible to manipulation.
“The way we conduct elections creates confusion and drives up costs. It’s time for a radical rethink,” Odinga said, positioning his party as an advocate for leaner, fairer electoral processes.
Warning on 2027 Political Rhetoric
Odinga took a swipe at recent political rhetoric suggesting possible vote rigging in the 2027 General Election, warning that such statements undermine democratic institutions.
“There’s been a lot of reckless talk lately about vote rigging in 2027,” he said. “That kind of speculation erodes trust in the system.”
He called on the newly reconstituted IEBC under Chairperson Erastus Ethekon to focus on restoring credibility to the commission, which has been dogged by years of public mistrust stemming from disputed presidential results in 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.
“I’ve Only Lost Once”
Odinga also addressed perceptions about his political journey, asserting that he has only lost one election legitimately.
“I’ve only lost once, in 1997. Kenyans know what happened. History will vindicate us,” he stated.
With political realignments already taking shape ahead of the 2027 polls, Odinga’s remarks are expected to galvanise reform-minded constituencies and spark fresh debate on the future of Kenya’s electoral architecture.
