IEBC fires back at Gachagua over 2027 polls technology tender, voter register claims
IEBC chair nominee Erastus Edung Ethekon at the Edge Convention Centre, Nairobi County, on March 25, 2025.
What you need to know:
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed claims by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua over preparations for the 2027 General Election.
The commission termed the allegations false, unsubstantiated and intended to undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
In a detailed statement issued on August 27, IEBC accused the former deputy president of making reckless claims about its leadership, procurement and management of the voters’ register.
The statement, signed by IEBC chairperson Erastus Ethekon, followed a press briefing by Mr Gachagua on August 26.
The former deputy president claimed that a tender for election technology had been predetermined in favour of South Korean firm Miru Systems Co Ltd.
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He also alleged that senior IEBC officials had been compromised to influence the procurement process.
Mr Gachagua claimed the tender outcome had already been decided despite the process being incomplete.
“Kenyans do not know that the tender process and the result have already been preconceived and are awaiting rubber-stamping to a firm from South Korea,” he said.
He also questioned changes in the commission’s procurement department.
Mr Gachagua alleged that the IEBC chairperson and vice-chairperson were driving the process against the wishes of other commissioners.
IEBC rejected the claims, saying no company had been awarded the contract and the procurement process was still at an early stage.
“The tender process for Tender No. IEBC/OIT/01/2026-2027 is open and transparent,” Mr Ethekon said in a statement on Thursday evening.
IEBC said all procurement documents were uploaded to its website and the Public Procurement Information Portal on August 11.
Mr Ethekon said procurement for the Integrated Elections Management System and another tender for ballot papers and electoral materials had been temporarily halted.
“The procurement process of Tender No. IEBC/OIT/01/2026 – 2027 (Supply, Delivery, Installation, Testing, Commissioning, Support and Maintenance of the Integrated Elections Management System - IEMS, Hardware Equipment And Accessories) and IEBC/OIT/02/2026 – 2027 (Supply and Delivery of Ballot Papers, Tactile Folders, Register of Voters and Statutory Election Result Declaration Forms) has been temporarily halted following a notification of request for review filed at the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board,” the IEBC said.
Mr Ethekon also defended the technical specifications being questioned by Mr Gachagua, saying they were generic and based on performance.
“The technical specifications are generic, performance-based, open to any qualified supplier, guided by Supreme Court directives, lessons from previous elections and feedback from our field officers. The Commission informs the public that the procurement process for technology commenced with the advertisement of the tender and it is still at its initial stages. No award has been made to any company since the Commission is not aware of those companies that would be competing in this tender. The tendering processes are elaborate, and the final decisions will be reached after rigorous, open and transparent processes are concluded in accordance with the procurement laws. Any attempts to cast aspersion on a process or outcomes of a process that has not yet reached its logical conclusion are premature and aimed at interfering with the affairs of the IEBC,” Mr Ethekon said in the statement.
Mr Gachagua also alleged that politicians had bought a house for Mr Ethekon to influence his decisions ahead of the 2027 election.
Media reports indicated that he placed the value of the property at about Sh200 million.
IEBC strongly rejected the claim and challenged the DCP leader to provide evidence.
“The allegations that a house has been purchased for the Chairperson of IEBC by some politicians for purposes of influencing him are unfortunate, unfair and unsubstantiated to date,” the commission said.
IEBC noted that the alleged value of the property had changed.
The claim had initially put the value at Sh80 million before it was raised to Sh200 million.
The commission wants Mr Gachagua to provide evidence to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
This includes the location of the property, sale agreements, transfer documents and payment receipts.
IEBC also dismissed claims about changes among its staff, stating that deployment and redeployment were normal administrative functions.
“The said changes were carried out under the commission’s human resource policies and public service regulations,” it said.
The agency also defended the integrity of the voters’ register.
Mr Gachagua had claimed that external parties could access voter data through technology integration arrangements.
The commission said the voters’ register remained under its exclusive custody.
“There is no plan, directive or intention to suppress voters from any region or to tamper with voter data during any system migration,” IEBC said.
The commission outlined several safeguards in the management of voter data.
These include biometric capture, data validation and detection of duplicate registrations.
The process also involves public verification and independent audits before the register is certified for use.
IEBC said the safeguards were designed to protect the integrity of the register.
It warned against allegations of bribery, predetermined tenders and voter suppression.
Such claims, it said, were “false, alarming” and could incite the public and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
With political temperatures rising ahead of the 2027 polls, IEBC said it would not be intimidated.
It pledged to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
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