Gachagua: IEBC commissioners dining with State to deliver unfair by-election results
By Faith Lagat, July 10, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying the electoral body has failed to uphold constitutional principles ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking at the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, July 10, 2026, Gachagua said the commission had failed to inspire public confidence since the current commissioners assumed office.
“Since the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission commissioners were sworn in into an assumed office, we have not once nor twice expressed our displeasure with the omissions and commissions of the IEBC,” he said.
He said there had been concerns over the appointment of the commissioners and public perception regarding their independence.
Referring to Articles 81 and 38 of the Constitution, Gachagua said the commission was expected to conduct elections that are free, fair, transparent, impartial and accountable while protecting the political rights of Kenyans.
“Unfortunately, the IEBC has fallen short and has failed to uphold and apply the laws of this great republic. The IEBC has decided to turn a blind eye and not to be accountable or impartial,” he said.
Vote buying claims
Gachagua criticised the conduct of campaigns in Ol Kalou, saying senior government officials had been actively involved in the constituency.
He said Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and other state officials had been distributing cash and development items during campaigns.
“IEBC commissioners are dining with the state to procure and deliver unfair, predetermined by-election results in favour of the ruling party candidate. Please allow the people to decide.”
He also said the constituency had experienced an influx of government officials during the campaign period.
“Over the last few weeks, state officers and top government officials are on the Ol Kalou by-election campaign trail and on bribery spree. Indeed, the government officials are actually more than the voters in Ol Kalou. Helicopters are almost causing accidents in the air.”
Gachagua also criticised IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, saying the commission should apply electoral laws consistently across all by-elections.
Calls for action
Gachagua commended the media for highlighting events in the constituency. “Let me pay special tribute to the media that has captured the wanton bribery by state officials in Ol Kalou.”
He called on the commission to summon government officials he mentioned instead of taking action that would affect voters.
Gachagua also said Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders had promised Ethekon a Ksh80 million house in Karen in connection with the 2027 General Election.
He maintained that Ol Kalou remained peaceful and called on the Inspector General of Police to deploy only uniformed police officers during the by-election.
The former Deputy President said security agencies should prevent any disruption of the election and ensure voters exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was occasioned by the death of MP David Njuguna Kiaraho.
The contest has attracted candidates from several political parties, including UDA’s Samuel Muchina Nyagah and DCP’s Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru.
The IEBC has previously said it is monitoring reports of voter bribery, insecurity and other electoral offences in the constituency as preparations for the July 16 poll continue.