Wajir Woman Rep Fatuma Jehow Under Fire for Controversial Remarks on 2027 Elections

Wajir Woman Representative Fatuma Abdi Jehow is facing widespread backlash following remarks made at a public event on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in which she appeared to suggest that MPs from North Eastern Kenya would rig the 2027 elections in favor of President William Ruto—even without popular support.

Speaking in Swahili during the address, Jehow stated:

“Sisi wabunge wa North Eastern maneno ya President, tunasema ‘tutam’, hata kama hatutakua na votes tutamwibia… hio si siri. Sisi tunangoja debe iletwe, hata kama hatutakuwa na votes, sisi maneno yetu ni mafupi.”

Roughly translated, she declared that lawmakers from the region would support the President at the ballot box—“even if it means stealing votes”—and emphasized that this was “no secret.”

Online Uproar and Calls for Accountability

The statement quickly went viral on social media, sparking outrage across the political divide. Many Kenyans condemned the remarks as a shocking and unapologetic endorsement of electoral fraud.

Prominent hotelier Mohammed Hersi called the comments “reckless and dangerous,” while @Unassuming101 branded Jehow as an “enemy of democracy,” accusing her of “promoting fraud as strategy.”

Several users demanded legal action, tagging agencies such as the IEBC, DCI, and Judiciary, and questioning why the MP had not been summoned for questioning.

“Why is this not a criminal matter?” asked one user. “Is this not a direct threat to our electoral integrity?”

Criticism Over Religious Hypocrisy

Jehow, who was dressed in full religious attire during her speech, also came under fire for perceived hypocrisy. Critics slammed the contradiction between her Islamic presentation and the unethical political rhetoric.

“Removing a buibui is haram, but stealing votes is halal?” wrote @BillNgumba.

@OndaraOtaro added: “Wearing a hijab while glorifying electoral theft is deeply diabolical.”

Even the Atheists in Kenya Society weighed in, tweeting:

“Muslims also steal??? 😂😂😂 Wow… Afadhali atheists 🔥💯”

North Eastern Leaders Distance Themselves

Notably, some leaders and residents from the North Eastern region were quick to distance themselves from Jehow’s sentiments.

Dr. Abdirahman M tweeted: “Somalis from North Eastern want to distance ourselves from the sentiments by the woman rep. It’s her own opinion and does not reflect the views of the community.”

Broader Context: Electoral Integrity in Kenya

Jehow’s remarks land at a time when trust in electoral systems remains fragile in Kenya. Past elections have been marred by disputes, court challenges, and even violence—making public confidence in the IEBC and rule of law critical.

With the 2027 polls already looming large on the political horizon, her comments have struck a raw nerve in a country still healing from past electoral wounds.

Observers and governance experts warn that careless statements from leaders not only erode public trust but could also inflame political tensions in an already divided landscape.

As public pressure mounts, all eyes now turn to whether investigative or electoral authorities will take any formal action against Jehow—or whether this will become just another forgotten scandal in Kenya’s turbulent political cycle.