The leadership of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission under Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon has transferred officials who raised concerns over the procurement of a new election management system ahead of the 2027 General Election.
IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon and Vice Chairperson Ann Nderitu are determined to push through the procurement of technology supplied by South Korea's MIRU Systems, despite what sources described as concerns over the tender specifications and the timing of the proposed change.
Top officials from the Directorate of Supply Chain Management and the Directorate of Electoral Management were being pressured to defend the procurement before the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board after a challenge was filed against the tender.
The officials refused to give false testimony, after which they were transferred to counties far from their previous stations.
A memo dated August 12, 2026, signed by Acting Commission Secretary and CEO Kuindu R.K., confirms that the commission made a series of staff transfers and redesignations involving personnel from the two directorates.
Among those listed are Abdibashir Alinoor Ibrahim, Abdidahir Maalim Abdi, Adan Harar Noor, Benjamin Kimwei, Caroline Nkatha Mwongera, Christine Kilonzo, Christine Nduku Makau, Edward Keem Ekale, Evelyn Juma, Remeoi Gideon Balang, Jacqueline Sabiri Osiemo, Josephat Osiemo Motikwa, Lawrence Okumu Barasa, Martin Wachira Nyaga, Maryam Alamin Takdir, Nelie Ilongo and Samson Matilu, among others.
The memo lists transfers involving stations including Mandera, Kisumu, Kiambu, Kajiado, Machakos, Nairobi, Nakuru, Lamu and Siaya, with several officials moved from IEBC headquarters to county offices or other departments.
Former Deputy President and now DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has earlier today linked the transfers directly to the ongoing procurement dispute, claiming that officials who refused to take ownership of disputed specifications were targeted.
He has also questioned whether Kenya has enough time to introduce a completely new election management system with the 2027 election approaching.
According to Gachagua, changing the system at this stage could create challenges involving digital migration, testing and the management of the voters' register. He has called on IEBC to abandon the tender and instead upgrade the existing system to address identified shortcomings.
The Chairman and his Vice Chair have victimized officials in the two departments and transferred all of them, except the compromised head of department, to far-flung counties and replaced them with cronies. Patriotic IEBC officials have sought me out from my short holiday and requested me to inform Kenyans of the rot, the intimidation, and the plans to bungle the 2027 General Elections. It is my belief that the Public Procurement Administrative Review Board will also show patriotism to the country and cancel this tender in its ruling later today. It is my considered opinion, following advice from procurement experts and IEBC insiders, that it is not technically possible to procure a new election management system given that the elections are 11 months away, and there is practically no time to facilitate digital migration from the current system and address whatever inadequacies are anticipated. Again, there is real and genuine fear that the change of the election management system at this late hour is a scheme to interfere with the voters' register, mostly in areas where Mr. William Ruto has been openly rejected. I call upon the IEBC to call off this tender and instead upgrade the current system to address the few shortcomings identified so far.
Gachagua also warned that changing the election technology close to the election could create public suspicion over the integrity of the voters' register and the 2027 electoral process.
His strongest appeal was directed at the IEBC leadership, whom he urged not to interfere with the electoral process or intimidate employees who raise concerns.
Lastly, I call upon the IEBC Chairperson and Vice Chairperson to stop the harassment and victimization of staff who have chosen professionalism and patriotism over manipulation and corruption. Mr. Chairman, do not throw Kenya into chaos and anarchy. Do not subvert the will of the people of Kenya. Leave Kenyans to make their decision at the ballot. You live in Kenya, you have access to the people, and you can hear what they are saying about sending this regime home come 10th August 2027.
This comes at a time when IEBC prepares for one of the most closely watched elections in Kenya's history, placing renewed attention on the systems that will be used to register voters, transmit election information and manage the 2027 polls.
For now, the staff transfers documented in the August 12 memo are established as an IEBC administrative decision, while Gachagua's claims that the transfers were linked to resistance against the MIRU procurement, corruption or plans to manipulate the 2027 election remain a reality that can not be ignored.