Violence, bribery claims rock IEBC’s credibility ahead of high-stakes by-elections

IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon

The reconstituted electoral commission is increasing under scrutiny over allegations of electoral tampering, bribery and inaction on cases of violence during campaigns.

Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua, Chama Cha Kazi chief Moses Kuria and Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka have separately alleged plots to interfere with Thursday’s polls as well as the 2027 general election.

Their claims have put the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission on focus at a time when the agency is still recovering from internal ruptures and public mistrust following the 2022 election.

On Monday, Gachagua directly accused the commission officer of involvement in an alleged rigging scheme in Magarini.

In the letter addressed to IEBC chairman Erastus Ethekon, the former DP claimed there were deliberate attempts to manipulate the voter register and polling procedures.

Gachagua further claimed Abdalla unlawfully submitted names of individuals she prefers to serve as presiding officers to senior county officials to allegedly meddle in the process in favour of certain candidates.

“I am aware that your officer has assumed the roles of managing the Magarini by-elections through corrupt covert means; You are well aware that the commissioner assigned to the coast region is one Dr Alutalala Mukhwana,” the DCP leader said.

The letter came just a day after Kuria, whose party is fielding Duncan Mbui in Mbeere North, linked the rising electoral violence witnessed in several by-election hotspots to a potential plot to rig the 2027 polls.

“I want to tell the government and President William Ruto, the international community is watching. How we conduct these elections is of interest to the international community,” Kuria said.

The former presidential adviser added, “Kenya is not Tanzania, and that Kenyans' tolerance for electoral malpractice is at an 'all-time low”.

“You think whatever happened in Tanzania will be replicated here? Kenyans are not Tanzanians. Don't try it here. It will not be business as usual,” he said, noting that any attempts to subvert the democratic process would be met with resistance.

Kalonzo has also echoed the rigging warnings, insisting that the opposition had credible intelligence of orchestrated interference in multiple by-election areas.

The Wiper leader further accused a top IEBC officer of colluding with a top adviser of the President to tamper with the election.

“I happen to know that the officer who, by the way, we recommended he should not be there by 2027, is working with Ruto’s political adviser, who was also a commissioner and is based in State House managing IEBC,” Kalonzo claimed.

While the electoral agency maintains it will deliver a free, fair and credible election, allegations senior electoral officials has raised credibility questions about the by-elections as well as preparations for the 2027 polls.

Several by-election campaign zones have seen incidents of violence, including clashes between rival supporters, destruction of campaign materials and threats against certain political leaders.

Violence has been witnessed in Narok, Kabuchai and Kasipul, where two candidates —Boyd Were and Philip Aroko — were fined Sh1 million each over violence that left two dead.

Other than in Kasipul, the IEBC has faced criticism of inaction in other areas that have faced violence.

Kuria has particularly been consistent in calling out IEBC for its inaction.

“Dear IEBC, as we head towards 2027, drums of war are rolling. The Wageni [outsiders] in Narok have started receiving notices. Ethnic cleansing is being cooked. Do you want to start from where [former ECK chairman Samuel] Kivuitu left it? The world is watching,” he warned on his X handle on November 21.

Earlier, on November 11, he said mobilisation for violence in Mbeere North had continued unabated.

He expressed frustration that he had raised concerns with the IEBC operations commissioner on several occasions, with no action being taken.

“Elections are a process, not an event. Mbeere North is currently the property of IEBC, not the state. The buck stops with you. Your staple food is public confidence. With this affront to free and fair elections, how can we trust you? Or you are competing with Tanzania?” Kuria added.

In the aftermath of the 2022 presidential vote, the IEBC is under pressure to deliver an orderly, transparent process, with Thursday’s vote offering the first significant test of the commission’s operational readiness and independence.