Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has criticised Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon over his recent remarks warning that elections cannot be conducted in a “toxic environment.”
Speaking amid growing political debate ahead of the 2027 General Election, Maina accused the IEBC boss of hinting at a possible delay of the polls, a move she said would be unconstitutional.
“Wewe Ethekon you can step down bwana!” she said. “You people think Kenyans are idiots? We all know you are testing waters to postpone the elections next year.”
Her remarks follow Ethekon’s warning that rising political tension, hate speech and insecurity could compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
The IEBC chair had called on institutions such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Registrar of Political Parties to act against incitement and electoral offences.
But Maina dismissed the concerns, insisting that the commission must carry out its mandate regardless of the political climate.
“Do not test the patience and resolve of the Kenyan people,” she said. “You are not the only human being who can chair the IEBC. You are not the first and you will not be the last.”
The legislator further warned that any attempt to delay elections would amount to undermining the Constitution and the will of the people.
“If the chairperson of IEBC is a petulant child, he can quit,” she added.
“He can’t keep threatening not to conduct elections. That would be a clear subversion of the will of the people, and no one has the power to hold office beyond the five-year timeline.”
Ethekon has maintained that his concerns are aimed at ensuring credible elections, not delaying them.
He has urged state agencies to take firm action to curb political intolerance and safeguard the electoral environment.