No Complaint Against Any of Us - IEBC on Alleged Compromised Commissioners

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed claims suggesting that some of its commissioners may be compromised.

Speaking on Wednesday, November 26, IEBC Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana explained that the commission has a structured process for addressing complaints related to misconduct by commissioners, or any other participant in the electoral process, and noted that no such complaint exists against any of them.

"I think IEBC has clear guidelines on how to handle complaints regarding their conduct or complaints regarding candidates or any other participant in the political process where the rules are flouted. 

"We have no complaint against any of us with evidence to show that we are not independent. We remain independent, we are doing our job and let the citizens judge us from what we deliver," he said.

This comes days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of attempting to manipulate the Magarini Constituency by-elections 

In a statement released on Monday, November 24, Gachagua alleged that 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.

He 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, on Friday, November 21, 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 Mung'aro and Coast Regional Commissioner Dr. Alutala Mukhwana, where ‘bribery negotiation was carried out.'

Gachagua 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.

"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.