Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson of attempting to interfere with the upcoming Magarini by-elections. Speaking at a media briefing on Sunday, November 24, Gachagua alleged that the vice chairperson is unlawfully providing the names of her preferred presiding officers to senior county officials to influence the election outcome.
Gachagua further claimed that the vice chairperson is intimidating other IEBC officials, including returning officers, pressuring them to compromise the electoral process. He announced plans to write to IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon this week, urging him to take immediate action against the vice chairperson.
“We were starting to have hope in the IEBC, but I have just received reports this morning that the IEBC vice chairperson is trying to interfere with the elections in Magarini. She is in a hotel where she met with senior county officials and has given out the list of presiding officers she wants to compromise the elections,” Gachagua stated.
He emphasized that the elections in Magarini had previously been nullified due to irregularities and questioned how the public can trust the commission if such interference continues. Gachagua also suggested that the vice chairperson should resign to preserve the integrity and transparency of future elections, particularly the 2027 General Elections.
“These by-elections are a test of IEBC’s credibility. If immediate action is not taken, the commission’s reputation will suffer further damage,” he added.
The allegations come shortly after Gachagua accused political figures, primarily from President William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA), of attempting to influence young voters in Mbeere North by offering up to Ksh5,000 to sway their votes. He warned that the youth, especially Gen-Z, who have been vocal in opposing electoral malpractice, must resist such bribery to uphold democratic integrity.
