- Rigathi Gachagua penned a note to the IEBC chairperson alleging how IEBC vice chairperson plotted to mismanage Magarini mini polls
- Gachagua claimed that the body’s vice chairperson was bribed by a senior county official to favour their candidate
- He issued four demands to the IEBC, including the transfer of all the presiding officers stationed in the constituency
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features in digital and print media.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has written to IEBC chairperson Ethekon Edung, accusing vice chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah of attempting to interfere with the Magarini Constituency by-election.
Source: Facebook
In the letter, Gachagua alleged that Fahima had assumed control of the by-election process through ‘corrupt covert means.’
How is Fahima attempting to bungle Magarini polls?
He claimed that on Friday, November 21, Fahima intimidated electoral officials in Magarini and spent the night at a local hotel, details he said could be verified through the hotel’s records and CCTV footage.
“Be informed that on Friday, November 21, 2025, your vice chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, OGW was in Magarini, where she bullied, intimidated and coerced the electoral officials manning the Magarini by-elections. She spent the night at the same Boutique Hotel, details which you can confirm from the hotel booking list and the CCTV footage,” he said.
According to Gachagua, Fahima demanded the full list and contacts of all presiding officers.
He further alleged that later the same day, Fahima and commissioner Alutalala Mukwana met Kilifi governor Gideon Mung’aro at the hotel, where a bribery negotiation was reportedly conducted to favour the governor’s candidate.
“In the meeting, the vice chairperson committed to hand in the list of all the officers and their contacts once Governor Mung’aro put in a deposit of the agreed bribe,” Gachagua claimed.
Source: Facebook
What does Gachagua demand before Magarini by-election?
On behalf of the DCP candidate in Magarini, Stanley Karisa Kenga, Gachagua listed four demands to the IEBC.
He demanded the immediate replacement of all presiding officers in the constituency and restraining the alleged rogue vice chairperson from bungling the Magarini by-elections and any other elections within the territory of the Republic of Kenya.
He also demanded that Ethekon protect electoral officials and Magarini and other electoral areas from harassment and intimidation by Fahima.
Furthermore, the DCP leader demanded that Fahima immediately step down as the electoral body investigates her conduct.
The opposition lawmaker urged Ethekon to do the right thing, as the by-election will determine the commissioner’s ability to conduct the 2027 polls.
“It is sad that barely four months into your being in office, Fahima is on a reckless spree to bungle a by-election. The 2027 General Election will be emotive; you live in Kenya and you can judge the mood of the country. Do not feign ignorance. This casts doubt on your 2027 conduct. Kenya is not Tanzania. Do the right thing in Magarini Constituency and restrain your rogue vice chairperson,” Gachagua said.
How much will by-elections cost?
In other news, IEBC commissioner Anne Nderitu revealed that the 22 by-elections across the country would cost around KSh 700 million.
According to Nderitu, the cost would cover the logistics, deployment of electoral officials across various polling centres, and training them to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the voting process.
She added that the commission will implement strict security measures for ballot papers, seals, stamps, and indelible inks to build confidence among Kenyans.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
