DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of attempting to manipulate the upcoming Magarini Constituency by-elections scheduled for November 27, 2025.
In a strongly worded statement released on Monday, November 24, Gachagua alleged that Vice Chairperson Abdallah has engaged in ‘self-assigned and reckless conduct’ aimed at interfering with the electoral process to favor Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro's preferred candidate.
The former Deputy President claimed that despite IEBC's policy against deploying commissioners from their home regions during elections, Abdallah, who hails from the Coast region, has assumed management of the Magarini by-elections through corrupt and covert means.
According to Gachagua's letter, on Friday, November 21, 2025, the Vice Chairperson allegedly traveled to Magarini, where she bullied, intimidated, and coerced electoral officials manning the Magarini by-elections.
He further alleged that Abdallah demanded a complete list and contact details of all presiding officers in the constituency. Later that evening, the Vice Chairperson allegedly held a meeting at the Boutique Hotel in Malindi with Governor Mung'aro and Coast Regional Commissioner Dr. Alutala Mukhwana, where ‘bribery negotiation was carried out and a figure we shall disclose was agreed upon.’
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Gachagua's statement details a series of alleged transactions, claiming that the meeting was arranged to exchange the list of presiding officers and their contacts for instructions on how to assist the Governor in manipulating the elections in favor of his preferred candidate.
The former Deputy President also demanded that the IEBC Chairman protect electoral officials and residents of Magarini from harassment and intimidation by the Vice Chairperson.
Additionally, he called for a thorough investigation into Abdallah's conduct and her immediate removal as vice chairperson and IEBC commissioner.
Gachagua directly addressed Chairman Ethekon, reminding him of the circumstances under which he assumed office and questioning whether Kenyans can trust IEBC with the 2027 General Elections if such alleged malpractices occur this early in his tenure.
"Mr. Chairman, Erastus Edung Ethekon, you know the circumstances and which see you commissioners were put in the office. Do not let see 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 Ethekon, while this could be true, you could have used the 27th November 2025 by-elections to prove Kenyans and the world otherwise," the statement reads.
This controversy comes a week after the former Deputy President called on IEBC to take action against Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire for allegedly interfering with his political campaigns.
During an interview on November 16, Gachagua expressed frustration over alleged political disruption by the two leaders during his campaign meetings in Mbeere North, where another by-election is scheduled for November 27.
He argued that Ruku, Mbarire, and the UDA candidate Leo Wamuthende violated electoral laws by intruding on meetings organized by rival candidates.
"The IEBC needs to take action against Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, Governor Cecily Mbarire, and the UDA candidate, Leo Wamuthende, for gatecrashing our meetings. The electoral code of conduct disallows a candidate from storming into another candidate's meeting," he said at the time.
Earlier in November, the DCP leader had also written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja demanding action against individuals allegedly threatening election violence in Mbeere North through widely circulated social media videos.
In his letter dated November 12, 2025, Gachagua raised alarm over videos showing individuals issuing threats of violence ahead of the polls, identifying specific persons, including Simon Njagi Njiru, Josiah Kariuki Ngari, and Susan Nyaga, among others.
He stated that these individuals had issued threats of violence against him and Mbeere North residents during his campaign period from November 16 to 24, 2025.
"Despite the evidence and information in your custody, the above persons have not been arraigned. We demand that ahead of the by-elections, the above persons must be arrested immediately, arraigned, and charged under the penal code," his letter to the IG read.
