The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Erastus Ethekon has dismissed allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the electoral agency is planning to manipulate the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday, September 2, about the commission’s preparations for the polls, Ethekon rejected claims that IEBC had been compromised, describing the allegations as narratives being pushed by individuals seeking to create unnecessary controversy.
He challenged anyone making accusations against the commission, including Gachagua, to provide concrete evidence to support their claims instead of making public allegations without proof.
“So nobody, let those ones who are trying to play some games, to try and create narratives about IEBC being compromised. You know, the Former DP was talking about evidence,” Ethekon stated.
The IEBC chairman also criticised sections of the media for publishing allegations without first subjecting them to adequate fact-checking, describing the trend as unfortunate.
According to Ethekon, claims suggesting that the electoral commission has been compromised could have the effect of creating fear and uncertainty among Kenyans ahead of the 2027 elections.
He warned that repeated allegations against the electoral agency could undermine public confidence in IEBC and other institutions at a time when the country is preparing for another General Election.
Ethekon’s remarks followed fresh accusations by Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), who alleged that the IEBC leadership was seeking to award a 2027 election technology tender to a South Korean company.
In a statement issued on September 1, Gachagua claimed that the tender requirements had been crafted in a manner that favoured the unnamed South Korean firm before the procurement process was opened to other bidders.
The former Deputy President further alleged that some commissioners attempted to pressure procurement and electoral officials into defending the disputed tender specifications before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board (PPARB).
Gachagua claimed that he declined to comply with the alleged pressure, after which the officials involved were allegedly subjected to punitive transfers.
He cited an IEBC staff reshuffle letter dated August 12, which he claimed showed that some officials were moved to far-flung counties and replaced by individuals considered loyal to the commission’s leadership.
The allegations have placed renewed focus on the independence and preparedness of IEBC ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, Ethekon maintained that the commission would protect its independence and resist attempts by individuals or groups to interfere with its constitutional mandate.
He said IEBC would also speak out against efforts to undermine the institution, regardless of whether such attempts originated from political actors, the media or civic groups.
The chairman assured Kenyans that the commission would conduct the electoral process strictly in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.
“I would like to assure the Kenyan people that we at IEBC will do our job according to the constitution and the laws of the republic. Our elections are highly regulated by law and there's nowhere the law allows even the chairman of IEBC to put a comma anywhere where the law does not say you should not put a comma or a full stop,” Ethekon added.
The exchange comes as IEBC intensifies preparations for the 2027 General Election, with questions surrounding procurement, electoral technology and the independence of the commission likely to remain central to public debate in the run-up to the polls.
