Wetangula: Politicians Cannot Choose the ‘Referee’ Ahead of 2027 Polls

Jukwaa

📻 Breaking It Down

Speaking at Marenyo Market in Butere Constituency, Kakamega County, on Friday, Wetangula urged politicians to allow the electoral commission to independently discharge its constitutional mandate.

His remarks came amid growing political debate over the IEBC’s procurement of an Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS), following allegations by former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua that the tender had been designed to favour South Korean technology firm Miru Systems Co. Ltd.

Gachagua has alleged that the outcome of the tender was predetermined and questioned specifications in the procurement documents, arguing that they were tailored to favour the company.

📌 What You Need to Know

The IEBC has rejected the allegations, maintaining that the procurement process is open and transparent and that no company has been awarded the contract.

IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon has said the procurement process remains at an early stage and challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence.

Wetangula urged the commission to remain firm and carry out its duties in accordance with the Constitution and the law without being intimidated by political actors.

“IEBC is an independent body under the Constitution, working under the direction of nobody and the command of nobody. They do their job as required by the Constitution,” Wetangula said.

He cited the 2017 presidential election dispute, when the Supreme Court annulled the initial presidential election and ordered a fresh poll, saying the institutions involved respected the judicial process.

“We must have respect. If we want IEBC to do its work properly, we must respect the referee,” he said.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya

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