IEBC warns of goonism, AI misuse ahead of 2027 General Election

The misuse of artificial intelligence and the rise of political goonism have been identified as major threats to a free, fair and credible 2027 General Election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is engaging county security teams across the country to map potential hotspots and prepare for heightened political activity ahead of the election.

As campaigns gather pace, the focus is on identifying risks early and putting measures in place to protect the electoral process.

With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, concerns are growing over whether the country can withstand violent scenes already being witnessed months to the polls.

The electoral body has warned that unless the growing political chaos is contained, it could pose a serious threat to a peaceful and credible election.

“IEBC is ready to conduct elections in free, fair, transparent and credible elections. But we can only do that in an environment that is peaceful, an environment that is secure, an environment that allows a voter to vote freely,” IEBC Commissioner Prof. Francis Odhiambo said.

Prof. Odhiambo, who led the exercise in Nyeri County, also raised concerns over the growing use of artificial intelligence to manipulate images and create misleading content on social media, deliberately fuelling misinformation and disinformation.

“The most serious threats to election 2027 is one; goonism. Secondly, political gangsterism and thirdly the misuse of artificial intelligence, and we are hoping we can be able to bring these under control in time for election,” Prof. Odhiambo said.

Nyeri County Commissioner Josephat Biwott said existing laws should be enforced against individuals accused of spreading hate speech and issuing threats.

“We have the laws which are supposed to govern. For example, this Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. It is very clear how to deal with somebody who is saying, tutatembelea fulani. We want to have all other partners. For example now, somebody cannot have hate speech and then the DCI arrests, we take you to court and then you go scott free. Where are we failing?” Biwott posed.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga called on the IEBC to closely monitor candidates throughout the electoral process and take action against those who breach election rules.

“We want IEBC to monitor from the beginning to the end of every candidate's performance and you know we have been waiting to hear you ban one or two who are breaking the rules and it has not happened. We hope this new IEBC will have the bone and the courage to do that,” Kahiga said.

The revelations in Nyeri came as IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon met Coast security chiefs in Mombasa, reaffirming the commission's independence and commitment to delivering a free, fair and credible election.

“Our objective therefore is to prevent violence and protect participation throughout all the electoral processes. We must identify risks in our localities, in our communities, in our counties and in our region. And once we identify those risks we should have that clear institutional responsibility and of course escalation procedures,” Ethekon said.