Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims that Charles Nyache emerged as the top candidate in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson interviews, but President Ruto bypassed him and nominated Erastus Edung Ethekon for the position.
Speaking on Monday, May 12, during an interview with local radio stations, Gachagua claimed that President Ruto holds a grudge against the Kisii Community and hence bypassed Nyachae.
“We received information from the selection panel that Charles Nyachae was ranked number one for the position of IEBC chairperson. The President was given two names, and he removed him (Nyachae). And from what I’m told, the President is angry with the Kisii community, he says the late Mzee Nyachae beat him in South Mugirango, so he has issues with this community, and that’s why he refused to appoint Charles Nyachae,” Gachagua alleged.
The former DP went on to say Kenyans would have been satisfied with the IEBC nominations if Nyachae had been nominated as the chairperson.
According to Gachagua, Nyachae has a proven track record and is wealthy and hence would not be easily bribed.
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“The person who has been nominated as Chair used to work for Nanok, and Nanok works for the President. So, they are trying to control the IEBC from State House. If Nyachae had been nominated, Kenyans would have been satisfied because he is rich, someone who cannot be easily influenced by wealth.
"He also has a proven track record; he served as chairman of the Constitutional Implementation Commission and did a good job. He has also served as a judge at the East African Court,” Gachagua stated.
Further, the former DP said the final decision on elections is done on the polling stations and hence the electoral commission cannot alter the results.
Gachagua said they will invest in agents in the 2027 general elections and protect votes from being rigged.
“What the President has done is his own decision, but many people are not satisfied with the process he used, because he spoke with Raila and they placed the people they wanted. However, I don’t see a problem; the Supreme Court ruling in 2013 stated that the results from the polling station are final. So here in Nairobi, it's just tallying. Our job is to safeguard our agents at the polling stations and protect our votes,” Gachagua added.
On Thursday, President Ruto nominated Ethekon to be the chairperson of IEBC following recommendations made by the IEBC Selection Panel tasked.
The Head of State also nominated six individuals to serve as members of the commission, including Ann Njeri Nderitu and Moses Alutalala Mukhwana.
Others are Mary Karen Sorobit, Hassan Noor Hassan, Francis Odhiambo Aduol, and Fahima Araphat Abdallah.
The names of the nominees have been submitted to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.
