Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has once again locked horns with the government, this time over allegations that there is a scheme to delay the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi on Friday, the former Deputy President claimed that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and President William Ruto's administration are working together to lay the groundwork for postponing next year's polls.
Gachagua questioned the timing of a routine ICT system upgrade by the IEBC, arguing that it is suspicious coming just before the upcoming Ol Kalou by-election.
He suggested the upgrade could be part of a secret plot to manipulate the system and allow non-voters to participate in the elections.
The DCP leader also took issue with the IEBC's warning that the July 16 by-election in Ol Kalou could be postponed due to security concerns. He described this as a 'test run' for a similar move during next year's General Election.
Gachagua argued that if the commission cannot guarantee a peaceful election in a single constituency, it has no business managing a national election.
He posed a tough question to Kenyans, asking if the IEBC is afraid of conducting elections in one constituency because of violence, what happens next year when there is violence, and whether they will postpone the elections.
Gachagua went further, accusing state agencies of deliberately fuelling insecurity in Ol Kalou. He claimed that plain-clothes police officers and hired goons had been deployed from Nairobi to disrupt campaigns and intimidate opposition supporters ahead of the mini-poll.
He challenged the current IEBC leadership to resign if it is unable to discharge its constitutional mandate, insisting that Kenyans deserve an electoral body capable of conducting free, fair, and credible elections under all circumstances.
The IEBC, however, has defended its actions. Commission Chairperson Erastus Ethekon warned on Thursday that the by-election could be postponed or even cancelled if violence, voter bribery, and other breaches of the Electoral Code of Conduct persist.
Ethekon stated that if they find the environment is not conducive enough for them to conclude the by-election in Ol Kalou, they will be left with no choice other than to take the unfortunate and drastic step of postponing the election, and if that is not enough, they will cancel it altogether.
Regarding the ICT system upgrade, the IEBC explained that the maintenance was intended to enhance the reliability, security, and performance of its digital services.
The commission noted that the upgrade would temporarily affect online voter search, voter transfers, and changes to voter particulars.
However, the announcement has sparked debate on social media, with many Kenyans questioning why the upgrade was scheduled just as the commission prepares for a series of by-elections and the Enhanced Continuous Voter Registration exercise.
As the political temperature rises, all eyes will be on the IEBC to see how it handles the Ol Kalou by-election and whether its actions will further fuel allegations of a plot to interfere with the 2027 General Election.
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