Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of victimising officials who allegedly refused to support what he describes as a controversial procurement process involving election technology ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua claimed that officials working in the Directorate of Supply Chain Management and the Directorate of Electoral Management were transferred to distant counties after declining to defend tender specifications that he alleges were designed to favour a particular company.
“The officials have firmly refused to give false testimony to facilitate corruption and electoral fraud,” Gachagua said in a statement shared on his X account on Tuesday, September 1, 2026.
According to the former Deputy President, the IEBC chairperson and vice chairperson subsequently transferred the affected officials, with the exception of what he described as a “compromised” head of department. He further alleged that the positions were filled by individuals considered allies of the commission’s leadership.
Gachagua said the officials approached him while he was on holiday to raise concerns over what they described as intimidation, victimisation and alleged manipulation within the electoral commission.
Gachagua Questions Election Technology Tender
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader also questioned the IEBC’s push to introduce new election technology ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gachagua alleged that the proposed procurement was being pursued for financial gain and claimed that some of the tender specifications had been deliberately tailored to produce a predetermined outcome.
The allegations come as the procurement process faces scrutiny before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board, following a challenge against the tender.
Gachagua said he expected the review board to cancel the procurement if it establishes that the tender process was irregular.
However, the former Deputy President did not provide evidence to substantiate his allegations of corruption, electoral fraud or claims that the tender specifications were designed to favour a particular firm.
Gachagua Warns Over Election Technology Switch
Gachagua has also questioned whether the IEBC has enough time to introduce and fully operationalise a new election management system with the 2027 General Election less than a year away.
He argued that moving digital systems, testing new technology and resolving potential technical problems would require significant preparation time, making a complete transition risky at this stage.
“It is not technically possible to procure a new election management system given that the elections are 11 months away,” he said.
Instead, Gachagua has called on the IEBC to retain the existing system and upgrade it to address shortcomings that have already been identified.
He further expressed concern that changing the election management system at this stage could affect the integrity and reliability of the voters’ register.
The former Deputy President also called on the electoral commission’s leadership to stop what he described as harassment and victimisation of employees who had raised concerns over the procurement.
“Mr Chairman, do not throw Kenya into chaos and anarchy. Do not subvert the will of the people of Kenya. Leave Kenyans to make their decision at the ballot,” Gachagua said.
The latest allegations have placed the conduct of IEBC officials, the treatment of commission staff and the procurement of election technology under renewed political scrutiny as preparations for the August 10, 2027, General Election gather pace.
The IEBC has previously dismissed Gachagua’s allegations concerning the election technology tender and voter register, setting the stage for continued debate over the commission’s procurement decisions and preparedness for the next General Election.
