Rigathi Gachagua: Alleges IEBC Miru Systems 2027 Election Tech Tender Manipulation

• Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), accused IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdallah of pushing a tender to favor South Korean firm Miru Systems for the 2027 election technology.
• Gachagua alleged that IEBC staff were pressured to adopt tailored specifications and that those who resisted were victimized, though he provided no documentary evidence for his claims.
• He warned that a late switch to a new election management system for the 2027 polls could compromise electoral integrity, citing insufficient time and risks to voter data.
• The IEBC's international tender for 2027 election technology was temporarily halted after Galadirel Investment Limited filed a review request with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB) over concerns about specifications and foreign supplier favoritism.
• Gachagua has threatened court action if the IEBC proceeds with awarding the tender to Miru Systems, with the PPARB's decision awaited as the next major development.

Mr. Gachagua argued that there was insufficient time to introduce, test, and fully operationalize a new system before the August 2027 polls, citing advice from procurement experts and IEBC insiders who indicated that the elections were only 11 months away.

Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has publicly accused senior officials within the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of attempting to manipulate the procurement process for election technology ahead of the 2027 General Election. Speaking in a statement on a Tuesday, Mr. Gachagua specifically named IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Fahima Abdallah, alleging they are actively promoting a tender designed to unfairly benefit Miru Systems, a South Korean firm. He claimed their motivation was financial gain, intending to compromise the upcoming elections.

Mr. Gachagua further asserted that officials in the IEBC's Directorate of Supply Chain Management and Directorate of Electoral Management faced pressure to endorse technical specifications that were specifically tailored to favor Miru Systems. He alleged that staff members who resisted these specifications were subsequently victimized and transferred to remote counties, while those deemed compliant retained their positions. The DCP leader stated that this information was relayed to him by concerned IEBC officials, although he did not provide any documentary evidence to substantiate his claims of corruption, a predetermined tender outcome, or interference with the electoral process.

These Gachagua allegations IEBC Miru Systems 2027 election procurement concerns highlight a significant challenge to the transparency of the electoral body's operations. Mr. Gachagua has previously called for the procurement process to undergo rigorous scrutiny by both development partners and international election observers, underscoring the gravity of the Miru Systems Kenya procurement allegations.

Beyond the procurement irregularities, Rigathi Gachagua voiced profound concerns regarding the potential impact of introducing a new election management system on the integrity of the 2027 polls. He urged the IEBC to retain and upgrade the technology utilized in the 2022 elections, warning that a late transition could severely compromise the electoral process. Mr. Gachagua argued that there was insufficient time to introduce, test, and fully operationalize a new system before the August 2027 polls, citing advice from procurement experts and IEBC insiders who indicated that the elections were only 11 months away.

Mr. Gachagua specifically advocated for the retention of the Smartmatic system used in 2022, emphasizing its existing data, proven experience, and track record in conducting elections. He cautioned that migrating electoral data to an entirely new system could introduce significant technical and logistical risks. Furthermore, he alleged that a change in the election management system could be exploited to manipulate the voter register, particularly in regions he claimed were politically hostile to President William Ruto, though he offered no evidence to support the intention of such manipulation.

These Rigathi Gachagua election technology concerns underscore broader anxieties about Kenya electoral system integrity 2027. He called for the immediate cancellation of the current tender, proposing instead an upgrade to the existing system to address any shortcomings identified from the previous election. He also urged the IEBC leadership to cease what he described as harassment and victimization of staff who had raised objections regarding the procurement.

The IEBC's international tender for election technology and other materials for the 2027 General Election, advertised on August 11, has been temporarily halted due to a legal challenge. The technology tender encompasses the supply, delivery, installation, testing, commissioning, support, and maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System and associated equipment. This procurement was paused after Galadirel Investment Limited lodged a request for review with the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB).

Galadirel Investment Limited raised several critical concerns before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board IEBC, including issues with the tender specifications, the undisclosed contract value, and requirements that they argued could unfairly favor foreign suppliers. This intervention by the PPARB highlights the ongoing IEBC 2027 election technology tender dispute and the regulatory mechanisms in place to address procurement irregularities. The DCP leader has previously alleged that the specifications for this tender were specifically crafted around Miru Systems technology.

Mr. Gachagua has issued a stern warning that his political camp is prepared to challenge the procurement in court should the IEBC proceed with awarding the tender to Miru Systems. The upcoming determination by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board is anticipated to be the next significant development in this contentious procurement process, potentially setting a precedent for future public contracts and impacting the integrity of Kenya's electoral system.

Lawyers should monitor the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board's decision and potential court challenges regarding the IEBC's 2027 election technology tender, as allegations of procurement irregularities and undue influence could set precedents for future public contracts and impact electoral integrity. Compliance officers should note the corruption allegations as a significant risk factor in Kenyan public procurement.

Source: Original reporting via Capital News