Deputy President Kithure Kindiki/FILE
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has declared that Meru County is firmly behind President William Ruto's re-election bid, confidently assuring the Head of State that the region will overwhelmingly back him when Kenyans head to the polls in the 2027 General Election.
Kindiki made the declaration on Sunday during the Service and 60th Anniversary celebrations at Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central, Meru County, where he addressed congregants, students, alumni and local leaders gathered to mark the institution's diamond jubilee.
Using the occasion to send a strong political message, the Deputy President said Meru had made its choice and would stand with President Ruto as he seeks a second term in office.
"I want to assure President William Ruto that Meru is fully backing his second-term bid. Next year, all our votes will be for President Ruto," Kindiki said.
His remarks come as political activity continues to gather momentum following the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) release of the official roadmap for the 2027 General Election.
The commission has confirmed that Kenya's next General Election will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2027, setting in motion a series of electoral activities that political parties, candidates and public officers must undertake in preparation for the polls.
The election date was announced by IEBC Commissioner Ann Nderitu, who chairs the Election Operations Committee, during the unveiling of the Election Operations Plan (EOP) 2025–2027.
According to the commission, the Election Operations Plan is anchored in the IEBC Strategic Plan 2024–2029 and will guide the planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring of activities necessary for the successful conduct of the General Election.
Nderitu said the framework is intended to ensure the timely implementation of critical electoral activities while promoting transparency, accountability and compliance with the country's electoral laws.
She added that the roadmap also seeks to strengthen stakeholder engagement and citizen participation while enhancing the commission's institutional preparedness ahead of the national vote.
Among the key timelines released by the electoral agency is the deadline for public officers intending to vie for elective office.
The commission stated that any public officer wishing to contest in the General Election must resign from public office on or before Tuesday, February 9, 2027, exactly six months before polling day.
Political parties have also been issued with strict deadlines ahead of the election.
The IEBC said parties must submit their membership lists by March 16, 2027. By the same date, parties intending to field candidates will also be required to submit the names of aspirants seeking nomination, together with the dates and venues of their party primaries.
In addition, the commission directed that all political parties must conclude their nomination exercises and resolve any disputes arising from the primaries by May 9, 2027, paving the way for the next phase of preparations before the country heads to the ballot in August.
The release of the election roadmap now provides political parties and aspiring candidates with a clear timetable as campaigns and political alignments ahead of the 2027 General Election continue to take shape.
