The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has rejected allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the procurement of technology for the 2027 General Election has been predetermined, warning that such claims risk undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, the commission said allegations made by the Democracy for Citizens Party leader during a press briefing on Wednesday were false and unsubstantiated.
“The reports follow an unsubstantiated and false statement issued by the Party Leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua,” IEBC said.
Gachagua had alleged that the commission had already settled on South Korean firm Miru Systems to supply the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS), despite the procurement process still being under way. He claimed the tender specifications had been crafted to favour the company and questioned the proposed change from the technology currently used in elections.
“This tender was tailor-made,” Gachagua said. “The specifications were made in a way that nobody else can win this tender other than this South Korean company.”
But IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon said no company had been awarded the tender, insisting that the procurement was still at an early stage. He said attempts to portray the process as having already produced a winner were premature and could interfere with the commission's work.
“No firm has been awarded the tender,” Ethekon said, adding that the process had not reached the stage of selecting a supplier.
The commission said it welcomed scrutiny of its work but would not allow what it described as malicious allegations to damage its credibility as the country prepares for a high-stakes election.
“The Commission welcomes constructive criticism and accountability measures based on the rule of law and laid down procedures,” IEBC said.
The commission, however, warned that it would respond to individuals and organisations it accused of using harassment, threats and intimidation against its officials and staff.
“The Commission shall also protect public interest where the allegations are motivated by malice and unjustifiable propaganda aimed at undermining the integrity and credibility of the electoral processes in Kenya,” it said.
The exchange comes at a sensitive moment for the electoral body, which is preparing for the August 2027 elections while facing renewed scrutiny over procurement of election technology.
Gachagua has urged IEBC to retain the current Smartmatic system, arguing that changing suppliers less than a year before the election could expose the voter register to risks during migration of data.
“Why do we have to remove data from a company that is already in the country and give it to a new entrant? What is the gain?” Gachagua asked.
He has also alleged that the proposed system could be used to manipulate the voter register and suppress registration in areas he considers opposition strongholds. He did not provide evidence to support the allegations.
The IEBC has rejected the claims, saying its procurement is being conducted within the law and established procedures.
The controversy has attracted political attention beyond Gachagua and the electoral commission. Central Organisation of Trade Unions secretary-general Francis Atwoli accused the former Deputy President of making statements that could undermine confidence in IEBC and create the basis for rejecting the outcome of the 2027 election before voting even takes place.
“These statements appear capable of laying the political foundation for rejecting the outcome of the 2027 General Election in advance,” Atwoli said.
Gachagua's intervention comes as opposition parties intensify preparations for the 2027 contest and seek to make electoral credibility a central issue.
The former Deputy President has been campaigning under the Wantam message, calling for President William Ruto to serve only one term, while Ruto's allies are pushing Tutam, arguing that the President should be re-elected.
The latest dispute has consequently shifted attention from the political campaigns to the machinery that will conduct the election.
For IEBC, the immediate challenge is to convince political parties and voters that the procurement of the IEMS is transparent and that no supplier has been secretly selected.
For Gachagua, the issue is part of a broader warning that the credibility of the 2027 election could be compromised unless the procurement process is subjected to greater scrutiny.
The commission said it would continue with preparations for the election while defending its independence and integrity.
“The Commission remains committed to the conduct of free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections,” IEBC said.
