National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has warned politicians against interfering with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying attempts to dictate how the electoral agency conducts its affairs could undermine public confidence in the 2027 General Election.
Wetang’ula said politicians preparing to contest the 2027 elections should allow the commission to independently procure election technology and other materials required for the polls.
His remarks come amid a growing political dispute over IEBC’s procurement of a new Integrated Elections Management System (IEMS), with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua alleging that the tender specifications had been designed to favour South Korean technology company Miru Systems Co. Ltd.
Speaking at Marenyo Market in Butere Constituency, Kakamega County, Wetang’ula urged IEBC commissioners to remain firm and discharge their constitutional mandate without fear or favour.
“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,” he said.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has questioned the IEMS procurement process, claiming that the outcome had been predetermined in favour of Miru Systems and raising concerns over some of the specifications contained in the tender documents.
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 is still at an early stage and challenged those making the allegations to provide evidence to support their claims.
Wetang’ula likened IEBC to a referee in a football match, saying political candidates should not seek to control the institution responsible for administering elections.
“We must have respect. If we want IEBC to do its work properly, we must respect the referee,” he said.
He invoked the 2017 presidential election dispute, when the Supreme Court annulled the presidential election and ordered a fresh poll, saying Kenya’s institutions must be allowed to operate independently.
“If you want to run for elections, you cannot choose the referee. You cannot choose the whistle to be blown. You cannot choose the field to play on or the cheerers who will come to cheer you,” he said.
The Speaker also challenged IEBC officials to uphold the Constitution and the law and resist political pressure.
“Act in accordance with the law. Act in accordance with the Constitution and in accordance with your conscience and the public morality expected of you. Don’t be intimidated by anybody. Don’t act with fear or favour,” he said.
Wetang’ula criticised efforts by politicians to influence IEBC procurement decisions, saying such decisions fall within the commission’s mandate.
“We cannot interfere with IEBC, attempting to direct them to procure ballot papers from some individuals or their companies, KIEMS kits from this technology firm, buy petrol from this petrol station and many other items. That is not the work of politicians,” he said.
The IEMS tender, advertised in August, covers the supply, installation, testing, commissioning, support and maintenance of the electoral management system, together with related hardware and accessories.
The procurement has also been challenged before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board.
Western Kenya succession politics
Mr Wetang’ula used the Butere meeting to rally Western Kenya behind the broad-based government and President William Ruto’s re-election bid, urging supporters of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga to remain within the political arrangement between ODM and Kenya Kwanza.
“You voted for ODM and its leader Raila Odinga, who together with President William Ruto birthed the broad-based government. Those who were ODM, UDA, Ford Kenya and others are now a single unit called the broad-based government,” he said.
He urged the region to unite behind leaders including former Kakamega governor Wycliffe Oparanya and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, arguing that Western Kenya had an opportunity to remain at the centre of national government.
Wetang’ula cited infrastructure projects, including the proposed railway extension to western Kenya, development of Bukhungu Stadium and upgrading of Kakamega airstrip, as evidence of the government’s commitment to the region.
“As a region, the path to the top seat is now visible because we are the succession plan. We are in government, and we will not leave government and go to the Opposition to look for government,” he said.
“We will remain in government, we will build the government, we will inherit the government and we will lead the same government in 2032.”
President Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet also weighed in on the controversy, urging politicians to allow IEBC to complete the procurement process.
“For those looking for tenders in IEBC, we don’t want to hear complaining because you said you will defeat William Ruto. Why have you started making noise this early?” Mr Kibet said.
Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot separately criticised Gachagua and asked him to stop commenting on IEBC and the electoral process.
“Please stop speaking about IEBC because you were impeached and anybody who is impeached cannot contest for any elective office,” Senator Cheruiyot said.
The exchanges underline the growing political importance of IEBC and its preparations for the 2027 General Election, with the electoral commission’s procurement decisions increasingly becoming part of Kenya’s emerging political and succession battle.
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