Rigathi Gachagua Says 2027 Poll Cannot Be Rigged

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the 2027 general election cannot be rigged, while raising concerns about voter registration and police conduct.

In a televised interview on Wednesday, Gachagua dismissed fears about the credibility of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), stating that recent reforms have addressed weaknesses that previously allowed interference. He cited constitutional requirements that votes be counted and declared at individual polling stations, supported by a 2017 Court of Appeal ruling that removed the IEBC’s authority to alter results at the national level. 

“Ruto cannot steal the elections. It is impossible,” he said, noting that only a very narrow margin could lead to disputes.

At the same time, Gachagua repeated opposition claims of voter suppression. He alleged that state agencies are delaying the issuance of identity cards in regions seen as unsupportive of President William Ruto. The United Opposition coalition has also accused authorities of misusing the Integrated Population Registration Service to inflate the voter register with foreign nationals and retain records of deceased voters. 

The group has called for a full audit before the system is linked to biometric voter registration. President Ruto and the IEBC have rejected these claims, warning that such statements could weaken public confidence in the electoral process. With the next election scheduled for August 2027, concerns about voter integrity are already shaping political debate.

Separately, Gachagua addressed the Witima ACK Church incident in Nyeri County, where police were accused of using excessive force during a service. He said officers involved were transferred rather than prosecuted, describing the move as the action taken by authorities. Among those redeployed was former Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda, whom he accused of facilitating the operation.

Opposition parties have said they will pursue private prosecutions against the officers and two MPs linked to the incident, arguing that transfers do not ensure accountability. Gachagua said legal action could still follow if his political allies win power in 2027. He also warned police commanders against authorising similar operations in future.