IEBC: Rejects Gachagua 2027 Election Claims, Demands Proof

• The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has strongly refuted claims of political interference, corruption, and voter suppression ahead of the 2027 General Election.
• IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is now the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, to provide evidence for his allegations, including a purported house purchase for the chairperson, to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
• The commission defended its procurement process for election technology and ballot papers, noting that two key tenders are currently under review by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
• The IEBC also dismissed claims of voter register manipulation, detailing a rigorous multi-stage process for voter registration, verification, and final certification.
• The electoral body affirmed its readiness for the 2027 polls, citing its successful conduct of several by-elections, including the Magarini by-election, which was not challenged.

The commission firmly asserted that these allegations were baseless, designed to erode public trust in the electoral body as it gears up for the 2027 General Election.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has vehemently denied a series of allegations concerning political interference, corruption, and voter suppression, which it states are aimed at undermining public confidence in its preparations for the 2027 General Election. In a statement issued on Thursday, IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon addressed claims made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is now the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), during a press briefing held on Wednesday, labeling them as false and unsubstantiated.

Among the specific accusations, the IEBC firmly rejected claims that politicians had purchased a house for its chairperson to influence him, noting that the alleged value of the property had shifted from Sh80 million to Sh200 million. Chairperson Ethekon described these allegations as unfortunate, unfair, and lacking any substantiation to date. The commission challenged Mr. Gachagua to present concrete evidence, including the property's location, sale and transfer documents, payment receipts, and details of involved parties, for investigation by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in Kenya.

Furthermore, the IEBC dismissed allegations of improper staff changes, clarifying that the deployment and redeployment of its employees are standard administrative functions guided by its human resource policies and broader public service regulations. The commission also refuted claims of malpractice against its chairperson and vice-chairperson, characterizing them as fabricated attempts to damage the reputation of both the commissioners and the institution itself. These strong rebuttals underscore the IEBC's stance as it rejects Gachagua's 2027 election claims.

The IEBC also provided a robust defense of its procurement process for essential election technology and ballot papers, asserting that all tenders are being conducted in strict adherence to Chapter 12 of the Constitution and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act, 2015. This commitment to legal frameworks is central to the IEBC's defense of its 2027 polls preparations.

Currently, two critical tenders—one for the Integrated Elections Management System hardware and accessories, and another for ballot papers and other election materials—have been temporarily halted. This pause follows a request for review lodged before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, highlighting the existing oversight mechanisms. The commission confirmed that documents for the technology tender were made publicly available on its website and the Public Procurement Information Portal on August 11, 2026, with technical specifications designed to be generic, performance-based, and accessible to all qualified suppliers. The IEBC emphasized that the procurement process remains in its initial stages, and no company has yet been awarded any tender.

Addressing concerns regarding the integrity of electoral data, the IEBC categorically dismissed claims suggesting that voter registration data could be manipulated or shared with external entities. The commission reiterated that the Register of Voters remains under its exclusive custody, ensuring its security and reliability against IEBC voter register manipulation claims.

The voter registration process itself involves multiple stringent stages to ensure accuracy and prevent fraud. These steps include in-person registration, thorough verification of identity, comprehensive collection of biometric and biographical data, secure transmission to a central database, and automated biometric deduplication. Any flagged records undergo a rigorous process of data cleaning, validation, and adjudication before being incorporated into the final register.

Before its certification for use in an election, the register is subjected to a 30-day biometric verification exercise, followed by an independent audit. This multi-layered approach demonstrates the IEBC's commitment to maintaining a credible and secure voter roll, essential for fair democratic processes.

The commission firmly asserted that these allegations were baseless, designed to erode public trust in the electoral body as it gears up for the 2027 General Election. The IEBC highlighted its proven track record, including the successful conduct of several by-elections, as evidence of its capability and preparedness.

Specifically, the Magarini by-election was cited as an example of a free, fair, and credible electoral exercise that concluded without any subsequent election petition. This track record, according to the IEBC, demonstrates its operational readiness and commitment to upholding electoral integrity as it continues its preparations for the upcoming national polls.

Lawyers and compliance officers should note the IEBC's firm stance against allegations of malpractice and interference, particularly regarding procurement and voter registration. This indicates potential areas for legal challenges or scrutiny in the run-up to the 2027 elections, requiring vigilance on compliance with electoral laws and procurement regulations, especially given the ongoing review by the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.

Source: Original reporting via Standard Digital