The United Opposition today delivered a hard-hitting State of the Nation Address, warning that Kenya’s democracy is at a dangerous crossroads and raising deep concerns over corruption, voter intimidation, and the integrity of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). The leaders, speaking to the country under the banner of standing with ordinary citizens, praised the courage of Kenyan youth whose peaceful uprising last year signaled a turning point in the nation’s political consciousness.
In their address, the Opposition hailed the Gen Z-led movement that erupted on June 25 last year, describing it as a moral revolt driven not by violence but by frustration with rampant graft and government excesses. The youth, the leaders said, took to the streets armed only with water bottles, Kenyan flags, and their mobile phones, demanding accountability and transparency from public officials. “Our youth were loud and clear: the bare minimum is integrity,” the statement noted.
The Opposition accused the current administration of prioritizing self-interest over national development, pointing specifically to what they termed “Rutopreneurship,” the mismanagement of SHA/SHIF, and the controversial housing levy which they described as a “slush fund and a national scam.” According to the leaders, these policies have undermined Vision 2030 and replaced it with what they called “bottom-up Rutoism” that has delivered little beyond despair.
A significant portion of the statement focused on the IEBC, which the Opposition said continues to struggle with credibility despite the appointment of new commissioners. They argued that the manner in which the Commission was formed failed to uphold the spirit of consultation agreed upon during the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) process, leaving many Kenyans doubtful of its independence. “The Commission must prove it serves the people, not the Executive,” the leaders insisted.
Voter registration was highlighted as an urgent concern, with the Opposition criticizing the introduction of mandatory iris-scanning without proper civic education. They warned that the use of two different registration standards—some with iris data, some without—creates inconsistency and jeopardizes fairness. They further faulted the IEBC for limiting voter registration to constituency offices during weekday working hours, a move they said locks out workers, students, and young people.
The Opposition demanded immediate changes, including extending voter registration to weekends and rolling out services at the ward level nationwide. They also called for full transparency on the deployment of registration kits, including the publication of their unique identifiers and locations. Safeguards must be put in place, they said, to prevent misuse of the kits and ensure that all captured data is secure, auditable, and legally compliant.
Turning to upcoming elections, the Opposition warned that manipulation can occur long before voting day, particularly during registration where oversight is weakest. They cited the November 27 by-elections as a critical test of fairness and commended the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee for fining candidates involved in violence in Kasipul. However, they condemned the deployment of what they termed “excessive security personnel” intended to intimidate voters.
The statement sharply criticized senior public officers, including the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament and several Cabinet Secretaries, accusing them of misusing state resources to influence the by-election campaigns. Such actions, they argued, violate the Constitution, the Elections Act, the Public Officers Ethics Act, and other laws governing leadership and integrity. “This conduct erodes public trust and undermines the fairness of our electoral process,” the leaders said.
The Opposition further claimed that voters are being asked to take photos of their marked ballots in exchange for up to Sh5,000, calling it a clear case of bribery, intimidation, and an assault on the secrecy of the vote. They urged the IEBC to educate voters on lawful phone use inside polling stations and emphasized the need for strict punishment of those attempting to buy votes.
As the address concluded, the United Opposition urged Kenyans to remain vigilant, insisting that democracy can only survive when citizens insist on integrity, transparency, and accountability in all institutions. They called for peaceful participation, credible elections, and unwavering protection of the Constitution. “Our democracy, our future, and the hope of generations depend on it,” they declared, before closing with a prayer for Kenya and its people.
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