NAIROBI, Kenya — The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has accused IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of interfering with the upcoming Magarini Constituency by-election through what it terms as bribery, intimidation and manipulation of electoral officials.
In a letter to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon, DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua alleged that Abdallah engaged in a covert scheme to influence the November 27 by-election in favour of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s preferred candidate.
According to the letter, Abdallah allegedly travelled to Magarini on Friday, November 21, where she “bullied, intimidated and coerced” presiding officers and election officials into cooperating with the governor.
Gachagua claims the vice chairperson demanded the full list and contacts of all election officials, contrary to IEBC policy that bars commissioners from operating in their home regions.
The party further alleges that Abdallah, in the company of Coast Regional Commissioner Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana, held a meeting at a Malindi hotel the same evening where a bribery negotiation with Governor Mung’aro reportedly took place.
The governor is said to have returned on Saturday, November 22 to allegedly hand over a cash deposit after the details of the presiding officers were released.
DCP claims Abdallah later returned to Nairobi the same evening after spending another night at the same hotel.
“It is shocking and utterly unbelievable that a commissioner of IEBC at the level of a vice chairperson can be involved in an extreme drive to bungle a by-election,” Gachagua wrote, warning that such conduct erodes public trust ahead of the 2027 General Election.
To the Chairman, Independent Electoral and Bounderies Commission – @IEBCKenya, Mr. Erastus Edung Ethekon, please tame your Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah. Do not attempt to meddle with the elections.Kenya is not your ordinary 3rd World Country to rig elections.
The party demanded that all presiding officers in Magarini be replaced immediately and called for Abdallah to be restrained and investigated.
Gachagua also urged the IEBC chairperson to protect electoral officials from harassment and ensure impartiality in the upcoming by-elections.
“You have the moral duty and responsibility to earn the trust of the people of Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Elections,” the DCP leader said, adding that any signs of misconduct could “throw the nation into anarchy.”
IEBC had not issued a response by the time of publication.
