NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to move beyond public assurances and actively safeguard the credibility of the 2027 General Election, amid rising opposition concerns over alleged state interference in electoral institutions.
Speaking on Wednesday after a consultative meeting between the United Opposition and IEBC officials, led by Commission Chairperson Edung Ethekon, Gachagua accused the government of attempting to capture independent bodies and deploy them for partisan ends.
“Our progressive democracy must not take a backseat under this regime,” Gachagua said.
“Capturing independent institutions and using them to manipulate the future of our country must be resisted.”
Opposition leaders said the engagement was triggered by what they described as “grave concerns” surrounding the conduct of recent by-elections and the commission’s preparedness for the August 2027 polls.
Gachagua alleged that some by-elections had been marred by intimidation, administrative lapses, and the presence of armed gangs at polling centres. He claimed state officers failed to protect voters and candidates, undermining electoral justice and public confidence in the process.
He also questioned the procurement of election materials and technology, warning that opaque processes could replicate disputed elections witnessed in other jurisdictions.
“A transparent, free, fair, credible, and verifiable election is what Kenyans demand, and we join them,” he said.
“An impartial IEBC must not only be spoken about but must be felt by every Kenyan voter.”
Gachagua urged the commission to commence mass voter registration by the end of March 2026, arguing that early preparation was critical to restoring trust and ensuring inclusivity.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa, Narc-Kenya leader Martha Karua, and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i were among opposition figures present at the meeting.
In a separate statement, Kalonzo said the opposition had directly confronted the IEBC over what he termed a widespread perception that the commission was aligned with President William Ruto’s administration.
“We made it clear that, in its current form, the IEBC is widely perceived as a William Ruto commission,” Kalonzo said.
“This is not just our position as the opposition, but a growing national perception, and we challenged the Commission to prove otherwise through its actions.”
Kalonzo also raised objections to the procurement of Kenya Integrated Election Management System (KIEMS) kits, stating the opposition opposed the involvement of Smartmatic, a technology firm he claimed had been linked to election controversies in several countries.
Additionally, opposition leaders questioned the continued tenure of IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan, saying they lacked confidence in his leadership and administrative independence.
“We expect transparency, accountability, and decisive action if public trust in the electoral process is to be restored,” Kalonzo said.
