Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised fresh concerns over Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 General Election, alleging that an election technology tender could be used to influence the outcome of the polls.
Gachagua claimed on Wednesday, August 26, that the procurement process by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had already been designed to favour a South Korean technology company, despite the tender process still being underway.
The former Deputy President said the IEBC advertised the tender on August 11 for the supply and maintenance of an integrated elections management system and related hardware. The tender is scheduled to close on September 1.
According to Gachagua, however, the outcome has allegedly already been determined. He accused some IEBC officials of pushing specifications that would give one company an advantage over other potential bidders.
He also questioned recent changes within the commission’s procurement department, alleging that officials involved in the process had been replaced.
Gachagua further claimed that senior government officials had held meetings with representatives of the South Korean company as part of efforts to integrate its technology into Kenya’s electoral systems.
He raised concerns about the security of voter information, particularly over the possibility of electoral data being transferred or accessed during the proposed technology transition.
The former DP also questioned the company’s record in previous elections in other countries, arguing that Kenya should carefully examine its past performance before allowing it to handle critical election technology.
Gachagua urged the IEBC to make the tender specifications public so that Kenyans can establish whether they were designed to favour a particular bidder.
The IEBC had not responded to the allegations by the time of publication. The commission has previously maintained that its operations and procurement processes are conducted in accordance with the law.
The controversy comes as Kenya prepares for the August 2027 General Election, with the IEBC undertaking several major procurement processes ahead of the polls.
Gachagua has called for greater scrutiny of the process, warning that the credibility of the election will depend heavily on the transparency and reliability of the systems used to manage the vote.