Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon has strongly refuted claims that the electoral body is compromised, dismissing recent allegations of bribery, tender manipulation, and political interference as false and aimed at undermining public confidence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking through an official statement, Ethekon specifically responded to assertions raised by political figures—including Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua—concerning the commission’s integrity, staff deployments, and ongoing procurement processes.
Ethekon dismissed allegations that politicians purchased a luxury home for him in Karen, Nairobi, to influence his decisions. He noted inconsistencies in the claims—where the alleged property value shifted from KSh 80 million to KSh 200 million—and challenged accusers to submit concrete evidence to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
Addressing concerns regarding the procurement of the Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS hardware and accessories), Ethekon emphasized that the process remains at an early stage, is open, generic, performance-based, and no tender has been awarded to any vendor.
The commission rejected claims that voter registration data could be manipulated or compromised during technology migrations, confirming that the voter register remains under exclusive IEBC custody with multi-stage biometric validation, deduplication, and verification protocols in place.
The chairperson clarified that recent staff redeployments were part of standard administrative functions guided by public service policies rather than political directives.
Invoking Article 249 of the Constitution of Kenya, Ethekon asserted that the IEBC will not be intimidated or coerced by politically motivated narratives, confirming that preparations for the 2027 polls will proceed strictly in accordance with the law.
“The allegations are unfortunate, unfair, and unsubstantiated. The commission will not be swayed by false and manufactured claims meant to undermine electoral integrity.”
The IEBC boss urged political leaders and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, warning that disinformation risks stoking unnecessary public anxiety as electoral preparations ramp up.
