Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has called for swift and firm action against politicians making unverified claims about election rigging ahead of the next presidential poll. Speaking on Monday, Havi expressed deep concern that such rhetoric could heighten political tension and destabilize the country.
Havi urged constitutionally mandated bodies the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to summon and investigate political leaders who spread these claims without evidence. He warned that such conduct threatens to undermine public confidence in Kenya’s democratic processes.
“This is not a laughing matter,” Havi said. “We’ve seen these patterns before. Every presidential election in Kenya has faced legal challenges, always on the grounds of suspected vote theft.”
Without naming names, Havi hinted that the controversial remarks by two Members of Parliament were being made for political mileage. He stressed that a prominent political figure whom he referred to as “the king” should publicly distance themselves from these statements to avoid fueling suspicion and mistrust.
“The most important step now is for the king to publicly disown their remarks and clarify that they do not speak on his behalf,” Havi stated, suggesting that the silence of senior political figures only worsens public anxiety around electoral integrity.
Havi echoed concerns recently raised by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, affirming that the duty to uphold the rule of law falls squarely on institutions such as the IEBC, DCI, and ODPP. “This is a serious matter that demands accountability,” he said.
He further criticised top government officials, including the Prime Cabinet Secretary and the Speaker of the National Assembly, for making public comments on the rigging claims. Havi argued that such actions compromise the neutrality of their offices.
“The Speaker of the National Assembly, in particular, has already faced a High Court ruling on impartiality. He should refrain from commenting and allow the relevant institutions to carry out their mandate,” Havi concluded.
His remarks come amid growing political tensions, as early claims of vote tampering threaten to disrupt national cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
