Moses Kuria: IEBC stalemate, violence will hand Ruto 'kumi bila break

President William Ruto’s Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria, has said Kenya Kwanza will remain in power if political violence and issues surrounding the electoral agency are not addressed urgently.

In a post, Kuria said the continued blocking of the swearing-in of IEBC commissioners by the courts, combined with recurring episodes of violence, poses a serious threat to the country’s democratic processes.

“We cannot have elections in 2027 for as long as the courts continue to block the swearing-in of IEBC Commissioners, and other people continue to make violence our staple food,” he said.

Kuria warned that the nation faces "twin dangers" that could derail the electoral calendar.

"The twin dangers of IEBC and violence will convert Kumi Bila Break into Kumi Bila Barrier," Kuria said, referencing the popular slogan used by the Kenya Kwanza administration to imply 10 years of uninterrupted governance.

He reminded Kenyans: “Choices have consequences.”

Kuria is on record as saying Kenya will not hold an election in 2027.

His statement has drawn criticism from political leaders, including Wiper Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka, who dismissed it Monday.

Kuria explained that the Krigler Report and the current legal stalemate over the appointment of IEBC commissioners are indicators that the country may not be prepared to hold credible polls in 2027.

“In another 39 days, we will start the 24-month countdown to the 2027 elections,” Kuria noted on Tuesday.

“Going by our litigious nature, this case will go all the way to the Supreme Court. It may go on till September 2027.”

He was referring to the ongoing court case that has blocked the swearing-in of IEBC commissioners, despite Parliament having been allowed to vet and approve the nominees.

Justice Lawrence Mugambi recently ruled that while the vetting process may proceed, the actual swearing-in of the officials must remain on hold pending the resolution of a legal petition challenging the recruitment process.

Kuria emphasised that, according to the Krigler Report — formally known as the Report of the Independent Review Commission (IREC) on the 2007 elections — no free and fair elections can be conducted without a fully functional and independent electoral commission at least two years ahead of the polls.