Opposition leader Raila Odinga has renewed his push for sweeping electoral reforms, calling for the abolition of the current voter register and advocating for the use of national ID cards as the sole requirement to vote. Speaking during an interview on NTV on Sunday, Odinga criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for perpetuating a flawed and bloated electoral system that he claims encourages corruption and disenfranchises many Kenyans.
“The system is bloated to enable looting,” Odinga stated, accusing the IEBC of turning voter registration into a procurement-driven scheme. “Why are Kenyan elections among the most expensive in the world? It’s not rocket science. If you have an ID, you should vote.”
Odinga argued that requiring separate voter cards disproportionately affects citizens in underserved regions, effectively silencing their voices in national decision-making. According to him, allowing voters to use their ID cards would not only reduce costs but also enhance inclusivity and transparency.
The veteran politician also proposed a fundamental shift in how elections are conducted—urging that the six elections currently held on a single day be staggered. “The way we conduct elections creates confusion and drives up costs,” he said. “It’s time for a radical rethink.”
His remarks come amid growing concerns over the integrity of Kenya’s electoral system, especially as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections. Odinga called on the newly reconstituted IEBC, chaired by Erastus Ethekon, to take decisive steps to rebuild public trust in the institution.
He also took aim at political rhetoric surrounding the 2027 polls, warning that early talk of vote rigging only undermines democracy. “There’s been a lot of reckless talk lately about vote rigging in 2027,” he cautioned, urging leaders to uphold democratic values.
Addressing his own political journey, Odinga asserted that he had only lost an election once—in 1997—and suggested that history would ultimately vindicate his position in previous contests.
As political temperatures begin to rise, Odinga’s call for electoral reforms is likely to spark renewed debate over how Kenya can build a fairer and more credible voting system.
