Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has raised serious allegations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat, accusing her of interference and malpractice in the Magarini Constituency by-elections.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon on November 24, Gachagua claimed that Araphat unlawfully took over the management of the Magarini by-election, a role he said had originally been assigned to Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana for the coastal region.
According to Gachagua, the alleged misconduct began on Friday, November 21, when Araphat reportedly bullied, intimidated, and coerced electoral officials overseeing the Magarini polls. He further stated that the Vice Chairperson demanded the full list and contact details of all presiding officers, raising concerns about undue influence over the electoral process.
Gachagua also alleged that Araphat met with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro at a hotel in Malindi, where a supposed bribery negotiation took place in exchange for the officers’ list. He claimed the meeting aimed to enable Governor Mung'aro to manipulate the by-election in favour of a preferred candidate.
The DCP leader went on to state that on November 22, Governor Mung'aro allegedly provided a bribe deposit to Araphat, after which she received the list of officers. “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.
In his letter, Gachagua demanded the immediate replacement of IEBC officials in Magarini and urged the commission to protect electoral staff from harassment and intimidation that he attributed to the Vice Chairperson.
The allegations intensify scrutiny over the conduct of the ongoing Magarini by-elections, fueling public debate on transparency and accountability within electoral institutions. Further action or response from the IEBC remains awaited as the situation unfolds.
