Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has proposed a significant shift in Kenya’s presidential election process, suggesting that results be announced at the constituency level rather than the national tallying centre at the Bomas of Kenya.
Speaking during an interview with KTN News on Sunday night, Gachagua said decentralizing the tallying process would enhance transparency and curb electoral malpractice that has plagued past elections.
“Once the results are announced at the constituency, that should be final. Everyone, including the media, can tally them and declare the winner,” he stated. “It is not easy to tamper with results from 290 constituencies, but the national tallying centre has been a problem for years.”
Gachagua argued that delays in announcing presidential results at the national level have historically created “room for monkey business.” By devolving the process, he believes the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) can deliver quicker and more credible outcomes.
“Let there be 290 returning officers for the presidential election so that no one can interfere with those individuals,” he said. “If we tally the presidential votes first, it’s possible to have the results by morning. That would reduce anxiety and eliminate opportunities for manipulation.”
Turning his attention to the 2027 General Election, Gachagua predicted a two-horse race between President William Ruto and a candidate from a “United Opposition.” He dismissed the possibility of a viable third force, insisting that “Kenyans will reject it.”
“In 2027, whoever the opposition unites behind will become Kenya’s sixth President,” he declared. “It will be the one-term movement against President Ruto.”
Gachagua also dismissed claims of friction between himself and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i, accusing President Ruto of attempting to infiltrate opposition ranks to create division.
“There are no differences between me and Dr. Matiang’i,” he asserted. “What we are seeing is an attempt by President Ruto to infiltrate the opposition and cause discord.”
