Gachagua Alleges Plot to Rig 2027 Election Through Miru Systems Tender

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised serious allegations over Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 General Election, claiming that a procurement process for electoral technology has been designed to favour South Korean firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday ahead of his trip to the United States, Gachagua accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) leadership of conducting what he described as a predetermined tender for the Integrated Election Management System (IEMS).

Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), claimed the tender outcome had already been decided and was awaiting formal approval.

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

He described the procurement exercise as a public relations process intended to manage competing bidders and the Kenyan public.

The former Deputy President further alleged that changes within the IEBC procurement department were part of efforts to influence the outcome of the tender. He also claimed, without providing publicly verifiable evidence, that IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah had received advance commissions linked to the procurement.

Gachagua Raises Questions Over Voter Data

Gachagua also alleged that Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omolo and Immigration Principal Secretary Belio Kipsang had held meetings with representatives of Miru Systems concerning access to Kenya’s voter registration database for integration into the proposed electoral system.

He warned that the transfer of voter data from the existing Smartmatic KIEMS kits to Miru technology could create opportunities for manipulation of the voter register.

“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, claiming that such interference could facilitate voter suppression and election manipulation.

He further alleged that certain regions perceived to be opposition strongholds could be targeted through voter registration changes.

The claims have not been independently substantiated, and Gachagua did not publicly provide documentary evidence demonstrating that such a voter suppression plan is underway.

Questions Over IEBC Tender

Gachagua also questioned the procurement specifications for IEBC tender reference IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027, alleging that mandatory technical requirements had been crafted around Miru Systems rather than developed as vendor-neutral, performance-based standards.

He challenged IEBC to explain how the technical specifications were developed, what market analysis was conducted and how the qualification requirements were determined.

Among the questions he raised was whether the commission had established that multiple qualified manufacturers could meet the requirements before launching the tender.

Gachagua also challenged the IEBC leadership to demonstrate that the procurement process is transparent, competitive and compliant with Kenya’s public procurement laws.

Miru's International Track Record Questioned

The former Deputy President also raised concerns about Miru Systems’ involvement in electoral processes outside Kenya.

He cited the Democratic Republic of Congo’s 2023 elections, claiming that significant equipment malfunctions were reported at polling stations. He also referenced the Philippines’ 2024 mock elections and parliamentary elections in Iraq’s Kurdistan Region in October 2024, where he alleged that voting technology experienced serious operational challenges.

Gachagua argued that the reported incidents should prompt Kenya to undertake a thorough assessment of Miru’s technical record before selecting an electoral technology provider.

He also referred to concerns surrounding Miru’s involvement in the DRC’s electoral processes and alleged that the South Korean government had previously distanced itself from the company following problems involving the delivery of election-related equipment.

The claims concerning Miru’s international record require independent verification and do not, on their own, establish that the company would be unable to deliver Kenya’s electoral system.

Warning to IEBC Leadership

Gachagua directly challenged IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon over the commission’s independence and credibility.

He questioned Ethekon’s appointment and alleged that the electoral commission had increasingly been perceived by some Kenyans as aligned with President William Ruto’s administration.

Gachagua also made allegations concerning Ethekon’s residence in Karen and its alleged cost, but did not provide publicly verified evidence supporting the claims.

“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 Electoral Laws

Gachagua further criticised Parliament over the delayed passage of the Elections Amendment Bill 2024, which he said would strengthen IEBC ownership and control of electoral technology and intellectual property.

He argued that electoral systems should ultimately remain under the control of the Kenyan electoral commission to prevent excessive dependence on technology vendors.

The former Deputy President also 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 a broader plan to manipulate the 2027 election.

He did not provide evidence establishing a connection between the ownership changes and electoral fraud.

Gachagua’s allegations come as Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Election, with the IEBC facing increased scrutiny over the procurement, security and management of electoral technology.

The claims place renewed focus on the transparency of the IEMS procurement process, the protection of voter data and the safeguards required to ensure that the 2027 election is credible, secure and independently administered.