Gachagua Alleges Plan to Rig 2027 Election, Raises Questions Over IEBC Tender

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that plans are underway to manipulate Kenya's 2027 General Election, accusing the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of preparing to award a major electoral technology contract through a predetermined procurement process.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday ahead of a trip to the United States, Gachagua claimed that South Korean technology company Miru Systems Co. Ltd is at the centre of what he described as a prearranged tender for the Integrated Election Management System (IEMS).

Gachagua, who is the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), accused IEBC Chairman Erastus Edung Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of overseeing a process designed to favour Miru.

He alleged that the outcome had already been determined and that the ongoing procurement process was merely intended to give the appearance of competition.

“The tender process and result has already been preconceived and is awaiting rubber stamping,” Gachagua alleged.

The claims have not been independently established, and the IEBC and other officials named in the allegations have not, in the information provided, publicly confirmed them.

Gachagua Raises Questions Over Procurement Process

Gachagua alleged that the IEBC had removed its procurement manager and appointed a replacement as part of efforts to influence the tender.

He further claimed that senior IEBC officials had received advance commissions to guarantee the eventual award of the contract.

The former Deputy President also alleged that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang had held meetings with Miru officials over access to Kenya's voter registration database for what he described as “integration purposes.”

Gachagua challenged the IEBC leadership to demonstrate that the procurement process was transparent and free from political interference.

He also questioned Ethekon's integrity, making allegations concerning his residence in Karen and its purported cost.

“You have a choice to make: stand with Kenyans, the 55 million of them, or choose to burn this country,” Gachagua told the IEBC chairperson.

Concerns Over Miru Systems

Gachagua also questioned Miru Systems' record in providing electoral technology in other countries.

He cited the Democratic Republic of Congo's 2023 elections, claiming that equipment malfunctions affected a significant number of polling stations and potentially disrupted voting.

He also referred to electoral technology trials in the Philippines and voting in Iraq's Kurdistan Region in 2024, where he alleged that machines experienced technical problems.

Gachagua further claimed that the South Korean government had previously distanced itself from Miru following delays involving electoral equipment supplied to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The allegations concerning Miru's performance and the circumstances of previous elections would require independent verification and assessment by the relevant authorities.

Questions Over IEBC Technical Specifications

Gachagua also raised concerns about IEBC tender reference IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027, alleging that its technical requirements had been designed around Miru Systems rather than being vendor-neutral.

He questioned whether the commission had conducted sufficient market analysis to establish that multiple qualified manufacturers could meet the specifications.

He also called for explanations over how the qualification requirements relate to the experience and capabilities of the eventual successful bidder.

The allegations place renewed focus on the transparency of electoral technology procurement ahead of the 2027 election, when the credibility of electronic voting and results-management systems is expected to be closely scrutinised.

Allegations of Targeted Voter Suppression

Gachagua made further allegations that the government intends to use electoral technology to suppress voter registration in areas perceived to be opposition strongholds.

He listed parts of Western Kenya, Nyanza, the Mt Kenya region, Lower Eastern, Nairobi, Taveta, Lamu and sections of the Rift Valley among the areas he claimed could be targeted.

“The real mischief of IEBC is to interfere with the voter register during the transfer of data from the Smartmatic KIEMS kits to the Miru Technologies Kits,” Gachagua alleged.

He claimed that such interference could facilitate voter suppression and manipulation of election results.

No evidence establishing these allegations has been presented in the information provided.

Debate Over Electoral Technology and Ownership

Gachagua also accused President William Ruto's administration of delaying legislation that he said would strengthen IEBC ownership and control of electoral technology.

He specifically referred to the Elections Amendment Bill 2024, which he said would require technology suppliers to give the electoral commission intellectual property rights and ownership of election systems.

He further linked recent ownership changes involving De La Rue Kenya Limited, a security printing company with the capacity to produce election materials, to what he described as preparations for electoral fraud.

Those claims also remain allegations and have not been established as fact.

Electoral Integrity Under Spotlight

Gachagua's accusations come as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, placing electoral technology, procurement transparency and voter-register management at the centre of an increasingly heated political debate.

The allegations raise serious questions that would require clear responses from the IEBC, government agencies and any companies involved in the procurement process.

For now, the claims remain allegations rather than established findings. The credibility of the 2027 electoral process will ultimately depend on transparent procurement, effective oversight, secure management of voter data and public confidence in the systems used to register voters, conduct elections and transmit results.