Gachagua Claims 2027 Election Delay Plot, Demands IEBC Chiefs Quit Over Ol Kalou By-Election Fears
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of working with President William Ruto’s administration in what he described as a plot to delay the 2027 General Election, following recent developments surrounding the upcoming Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi on Friday, July 10, the former Deputy President questioned the electoral body’s decision to temporarily shut down parts of its digital services for a routine ICT systems upgrade, suggesting the timing had raised concerns about the integrity of future elections.
Gachagua alleged that the IEBC’s warning that the July 16 Ol Kalou by-election could be postponed because of insecurity was a “test run” that could later be used to justify postponing the 2027 General Election if similar circumstances arise.
“We want to know why the IEBC system was closed for an update when we are going for the Ol Kalou by-election. Is it that there is a secret plot to manipulate the system so that non-voters can vote in the elections?” Gachagua posed.
The DCP leader argued that an electoral commission entrusted with conducting a nationwide General Election should be capable of overseeing a single constituency by-election, even amid security challenges.
“The people of Kenya are asking that if the IEBC is afraid of conducting elections in one constituency because of violence, what happens next year when there is violence? Will they postpone the elections? Are you telling Kenyans that you cannot manage one election in Kenya?” he asked.
Escalating his criticism, Gachagua claimed the commission and the government were laying the groundwork for postponing next year’s polls, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.
“If you have no capacity to manage the by-elections, will you manage next year’s elections? I think it is a scheme between Ruto and the IEBC to postpone the Ol Kalou election so as to set the ground for postponing next year’s election,” he alleged.
He further challenged the current IEBC leadership to resign if it was unable to fulfil its constitutional mandate, insisting that Kenyans deserved an electoral body capable of conducting free, fair and credible elections regardless of prevailing circumstances.
Claims of State Interference
Gachagua also accused state agencies of allegedly fuelling insecurity in Ol Kalou ahead of the mini poll.
According to the former Deputy President, plain-clothes police officers and hired goons had allegedly been transported from Nairobi to intimidate opposition supporters and disrupt campaign activities, claims for which he did not present evidence during the press conference.
The allegations come amid heightened political tensions as parties intensify campaigns ahead of the crucial by-election.
IEBC Warns of Possible Postponement
Gachagua’s remarks followed comments made on Thursday by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, who warned that the commission could postpone—or, in extreme circumstances, cancel—the Ol Kalou by-election if violence, voter bribery and other serious breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct continue.
“If we find that the environment is not conducive enough for us to conclude the by-election in Ol Kalou, we will be left with no choice other than to take the unfortunate and drastic step of postponing the election. If that is not enough, we will cancel it altogether,” Ethekon said.
The commission has maintained that peaceful elections remain a constitutional requirement and warned all political actors against acts that could compromise the credibility of the electoral process.
ICT Upgrade Sparks Debate
Separately, the IEBC recently announced a scheduled upgrade of its ICT infrastructure, temporarily affecting online voter search services, voter transfers and applications for changes to voter registration details.
The commission said the maintenance exercise was intended to improve the reliability, security and overall performance of its digital systems ahead of upcoming electoral activities, including by-elections and the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration programme.
However, the timing of the exercise generated debate on social media, with some Kenyans questioning why the system upgrade was undertaken so close to the Ol Kalou by-election. The IEBC has maintained that the upgrade is a routine technical exercise designed to strengthen its digital services.