The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of interfering with the Magarini Constituency by-election set for 27 November 2025.

In a letter dated November 24, 2025, and addressed to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung, Gachagua claimed that Abdallah had assumed roles outside her mandate and employed corrupt, covert means to influence the electoral process in favour of a preferred candidate. The letter was sent from the party’s headquarters on Musa Gitau Road in Nairobi.

“I am aware that your Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, OGW 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,” Gachagua said.

Gachagua stated that the Magarini by-election arose from electoral malpractices linked to IEBC officials during the 2022 General Election. He stated that it is common knowledge that the IEBC has a policy not to deploy commissioners or officers to elections in regions where they originate, and accused Abdallah of violating this practice.

According to the letter, Abdallah travelled to Magarini on Friday, November 21, 2025, where she bullied, intimidated, and coerced electoral officials. Gachagua claimed that she demanded a full list and contacts of all presiding officers in the constituency.

“Be informed, might it be not within your knowledge, that on Friday 21st November 2025, your Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdallah, OGW was in Magarini, where she bullied, intimidated and coerced the electoral officials manning the Magarini by-elections.”

The former deputy president further claimed that Abdallah held a meeting that evening at a hotel in Malindi with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana.

“She demanded the full list and contacts of all the officers presiding over the by-elections in Magarini; In the evening of the same Friday, your rogue Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, in the company of Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana held a meeting at the Boutique Hotel in Malindi with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and a bribery negotiation was carried out and a figure we shall disclose was agreed upon.”

Bribery claims rock Magarini

Gachagua said that during the meeting, negotiations for a bribe took place, and that an agreed figure would be disclosed later. He claimed that the list of presiding officers and their contacts was offered in exchange for the bribe, with the aim of helping Governor Mung’aro influence the by-election in favour of his preferred candidate.

The letter further claimed that Abdallah spent two nights at the hotel in Malindi, and that her stay could be verified through booking records and CCTV footage. Gachagua claimed that after receiving a deposit of the agreed-upon bribe from Governor Mung’aro on Saturday, November 22, Abdallah handed over the officers’ list and a full command of the electoral process to him.

He claimed that electoral officials in Magarini were then instructed to work closely with the governor and support his efforts in the by-election. According to the letter, the officials felt intimidated and had no choice but to comply.

Gachagua described the claimed conduct as shocking and unacceptable, saying it raised serious doubts about IEBC’s ability to manage the 2027 General Election. He warned that any perception of bias or misconduct could lead to instability.

“Mr. Chairman, Mr. Erastus Edung Ethkon, you know the circumstances and which you and your commissioners were put in the office,” he wrote.

“Do not let us and the people of Kenya remind you as such; From the outset, though Kenyans kept quiet, like me, they had every doubt that your impartiality in the 2027 General Elections remain doubtful; Dr. Erastus Edung Ethkon, while this could be true, you could have used the 27th November 2025 by-elections to prove Kenyans and the world otherwise.

“Mr. Erastus Edung Ethkon, it is sad that barely four months into your being in office under the circumstances you clearly know, your Vice Chairperson. Fahima Araphat Abdallah, is on a reckless spree to bungle a by-election. This is totally unacceptable. This casts every doubt of your 2027 conduct.”

On behalf of DCP candidate Stanley Karisa Kenga, Gachagua demanded that IEBC replace all presiding officers in Magarini immediately. He also called for Abdallah to be restrained from involvement in the by-election and any future elections.

The letter further demanded that IEBC protect electoral officials from harassment and intimidation, investigate Abdallah’s conduct, and ensure that she steps down as vice chairperson and commissioner.

Gachagua warned that the 2027 General Election will be highly emotive and urged the commission to act responsibly. He said that failure to address these concerns could erode public trust and put the country at risk.