Gachagua accuses IEBC of punishing staff over disputed tender

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urged the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to forgo a recent tender for a new election management system in favor of upgrading their current technology. Gachagua expressed fears that introducing a new system less than a year before the 2027 General Election could jeopardize public confidence and introduce unnecessary risks.

In a statement, Gachagua alleged that IEBC leadership had manipulated the procurement process to benefit a single company. He proposed calling off the tender and enhancing the existing system to address its known shortcomings. Gachagua questioned if there was sufficient time to develop, deploy, and test a completely new system within such a short timeframe.

He maintained that changing the system in such a limited window would necessitate extensive digital migration, rigorous testing, and resolution of potential technical issues before a national election. The former Deputy President also cautioned that the new system could disrupt voter registration data, especially in areas with political opposition to President William Ruto.

Gachagua urged the IEBC to prioritize stability and public trust over a potentially risky technological transition. He accused IEBC leaders of intimidating officials who raised concerns about the procurement, urging the Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to stop harassing such staff. Gachagua warned the commission against actions that could undermine the 2027 election's credibility, urging them to safeguard Kenya from chaos and anarchy.

The Public Procurement Administrative Review Board is currently reviewing the disputed procurement, and Gachagua hoped the board would cancel the tender if it found the process to be biased. He emphasized the need for a stable, tested, and trusted electoral technology before the August 2027 General Election. The IEBC rejected Gachagua’s allegations as false.