Gachagua: IEBC must tell Kenyans whether MIRU systems technologies procurement process is lawful

Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Kenya) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has cautioned political leaders against making statements that could undermine the credibility of the 2027 General Election and potentially incite post-election unrest. Atwoli addressed DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua's allegations regarding the procurement of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission's (IEBC) Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS).

Gachagua accused the former Deputy President of utilizing a proof by assertion fallacy, stating that persistent attacks on the commission's credibility, in the absence of evidence, could set a political precedent for disputing the outcome of the 2027 poll beforehand. "COTU (K) is particularly concerned that these assertions could lay the political groundwork for pre-emptively rejecting the result of the 2027 General Election," Atwoli asserted.

As Kenya commemorated 16 years since the 2010 Constitution's enactment, Atwoli reminded Gachagua that the IEBC is an independent constitutional body established under Article 249(2) of the Constitution. Neither Gachagua nor any individual possesses the authority to influence the commission's constitutional responsibilities, he emphasized.

Atwoli questioned Gachagua's apparent preference for Smartmatic, an election technology firm, and urged him to explain why he seemed to be advocating for a particular private company after alleging the IEBC had procured its system based on a favored supplier. "Gachagua must now inform Kenyans how he concluded that Smartmatic should be the technology retained by the IEBC," Atwoli stated.

He warned that a resurgence of tribal or electoral violence would disproportionately impact workers, women, and children, jeopardizing their livelihoods and economic stability. Atwoli consequently appealed to Gachagua and other political figures to exercise restraint as the nation approaches the 2027 General Election. He urged political actors to prioritize peace and stability, stressing that safeguarding national cohesion is crucial in protecting Kenyans' well-being.