Gachagua Alleges 2027 Election Manipulation Plot
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised alarm over alleged plans to manipulate Kenya’s 2027 General Election through a controversial technology tender. Speaking at a press conference in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua claimed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has already decided to award a tender to a South Korean firm before the procurement process officially closes .
The Tender Allegations
Gachagua alleged that the IEBC advertised the Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS) tender on August 11, 2026, with a closing date of September 1, 2026, but the outcome was pre-determined. He described the ongoing process as a “mundane public relations exercise to manage the other bidders and 55 million Kenyans.”
The former DP further claimed procurement department changes were made, with the commission’s procurement manager removed and replaced by what he termed a “puppet.” He specifically accused the IEBC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of pushing the tender against other commissioners’ wishes.
South Korean Firm’s Controversial Track Record
Gachagua raised serious concerns about Miru Systems’ history in international elections. In Iraq, the company’s electronic vote-counting machines used in the May 2018 parliamentary election faced fraud allegations that led to a manual recount in several areas . Iraq’s Board of Supreme Audit had warned about the devices’ vulnerability to tampering, but the election commission allegedly ignored these concerns .
In the Philippines, watchdog groups have flagged “fatal weaknesses” in Miru’s technology, including concerns over hacking vulnerabilities and vote manipulation . The company’s technology was reported to have malfunctioned extensively, with automated counting declared invalid in some cases . The Philippines’ election commission promised a stringent post-qualification review process .
Voter Suppression Concerns
Gachagua alleged the proposed system could suppress voters in regions perceived as opposition strongholds, including Western Kenya, Nyanza, parts of Mount Kenya, Nairobi, and sections of the Rift Valley. He also claimed senior government officials had met with Miru Systems to facilitate access to Kenya’s voter registration database.
IEBC Yet to Respond
At the time of publication, the IEBC had not responded to Gachagua’s allegations, though it has previously maintained all operations are legally compliant.