Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) of failing to uphold constitutional principles of impartiality and fairness ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Addressing a press conference on Friday, Gachagua claimed the electoral commission was selectively enforcing election laws and warned against any move to postpone or cancel the by-election over security concerns.
He argued that while the Constitution requires elections to be free, fair, transparent and conducted without intimidation or corruption, the commission had failed to act on what he described as electoral malpractices witnessed during previous by-elections.
Referring to earlier by-elections in Malava, Banissa, Kasipul and Narok Township Ward, Gachagua alleged that the IEBC remained silent despite reports of violence and voter intimidation, but was now raising concerns over Ol Kalou.
"There is no violence in Ol Kalou that warrants postponement of the election," he said, claiming the constituency had largely remained peaceful.
The former deputy president further alleged that any isolated incidents of violence had been orchestrated by state actors rather than local residents. He also accused senior government officials of using public resources to influence voters through cash handouts and distribution of household items, allegations that were not supported with evidence during the briefing.
Gachagua named several Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other state officials, alleging they were actively campaigning for the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate in violation of election laws. He also claimed that voter bribery had become widespread during the campaign period.
He called on the IEBC to take action against any individuals found violating electoral laws instead of threatening to postpone the poll.
The former deputy president also urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy only uniformed police officers during the by-election, alleging that plainclothes officers could be used to instigate violence.
He questioned the postponement of a County Security and Intelligence Committee meeting that had been scheduled to discuss election security with candidates and sought clarification over recent police deployments in Nyandarua County.
Gachagua further questioned the IEBC's management of the voters' register ahead of the by-election, calling on the commission to explain why access had been temporarily restricted.
He warned that postponing the Ol Kalou by-election would undermine public confidence in the commission and raise concerns about its preparedness to conduct the 2027 General Election.
"If the IEBC cannot manage a by-election in one constituency, Kenyans will question its capacity to conduct the General Election," he said.
On the political significance of the by-election, Gachagua downplayed suggestions that the outcome would shape the political direction of the Mt. Kenya region.
"The outcome of Ol Kalou is irrelevant to the mountain. The mountain has moved on. What will happen in 2027 has already been decided," he said.
Gachagua maintained that the contest was a local by-election and urged security agencies to ensure peaceful polling by preventing violence and enforcing electoral laws fairly.
The IEBC has previously said it is working with security agencies to ensure peaceful, credible and transparent by-elections.
By the time of publication, the commission had not publicly responded to Gachagua's latest allegations. Similarly, the government officials named by the former deputy president had not responded to the claims.
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