The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has dismissed claims that politicians purchased a house for IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon so as to influence the outcome of the 2027 general elections, as claimed by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Thursday, August 27, the commission dismissed the claims by saying the allegations made by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader were unsubstantiated and amounted to attempts to undermine public confidence in the electoral body.

The commission particularly challenged Gachagua to provide evidence to support claims that politicians had purchased a house for the commission's chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, allegedly to influence him.

The commission said the alleged value of the house had shifted from KSh80 million to KSh200 million, and demanded that Gachagua provide evidence of the alleged transaction.

📌 What You Need to Know

"The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) takes note of reports and headlines published and circulating in mainstream and social media regarding, among others, the ongoing procurement of electoral technology for the upcoming 2027 General Election. The reports follow an unsubstantiated and false statement issued by the Party Leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, during a press briefing held on Wednesday, August 26 2026," Iebc stated.

"The Commission wishes to set the record straight as follows: The allegations that a house has been purchased for the Chairperson of IEBC by some politicians for purposes of influencing him are unfortunate, unfair and unsubstantiated to date. This allegation initially claimed that the house was worth Kshs. 80 million and now the price has shifted to Kshs. 200 million. In the spirit of accountability and fairness, the Commission hereby demands that DCP leader tenders' evidence of the location of the house and transaction documents including Sale Agreements, Transfer Documents and payment receipts, details of the Seller and Purchaser among others, to EACC for action," IEBC added.

The commission demanded that the DCP leader present evidence he had against the commission to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for any legal action.

The demands came after Gachagua claimed that politicians linked to the government had bought Ethekon a house to influence the election's outcome.

IEBC further dismissed allegations of planned voter suppression, voter register tampering, and irregularities in the procurement of electoral technology ahead of the 2027 General Election, urging political leaders to refrain from sensational claims that undermine public confidence in constitutional processes.

IEBC also addressed concerns surrounding the procurement of technology and ballot papers for the 2027 General Election.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke