NAIROBI, Kenya — October 29, 2026
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has threatened to mobilise 10,000 Kenyans to occupy the offices of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) if the electoral agency fails to explain voter-registration figures in border counties ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), wants the commission to disclose the number of voters registered in Wajir, Mandera and other border regions.
Speaking during a television interview on Wednesday, October 28, the former Deputy President said he had agreed with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino to seek answers from the electoral agency.
“We will mobilise 10,000 people to go to IEBC and demand that these processes are well explained,” Gachagua said, according to Capital FM.
He further threatened to extend the demonstrations to IEBC constituency offices across the country if the commission failed to address their concerns.
Gachagua Questions Voter Registration in Border Counties
The proposed demonstrations come amid a public debate over allegations that foreign nationals may have obtained Kenyan identification documents and voter registration cards in some border areas.
Gachagua and other political leaders have called for greater transparency in the registration process, raising questions about how citizenship and voter eligibility are being verified.
However, allegations of irregular registration have not, by themselves, established that ineligible voters have been added to the electoral register.
The IEBC has previously rejected claims that foreigners are being illegally registered as voters, describing the allegations as unsubstantiated.
The commission has also clarified that it does not issue national identity cards or passports. Its responsibility is to register eligible Kenyan citizens who already possess valid identification documents.
IEBC Also Faces Questions Over Voter Register Audit
Gachagua also questioned the commission’s preparations for the planned audit of the voter register, which is expected to be completed by February 2027.
He demanded to know whether a firm had been procured to conduct the exercise and what measures were in place to ensure the audit meets its deadline.
The audit is an important part of preparations for the 2027 General Election because it is intended to help assess the accuracy of the register and identify potential errors or irregularities.
Gachagua said the commission should provide clear information about its plans and explain the progress made so far.
Political Pressure Builds Ahead of 2027 Elections
The dispute comes as political leaders increasingly scrutinise electoral preparations ahead of the next General Election.
The IEBC is responsible for conducting elections and maintaining the voter register, while the registration of national identity documents falls under other government agencies.
The commission has urged anyone with evidence of electoral malpractice to submit it for investigation.
Whether Gachagua proceeds with the threatened demonstrations, and how the IEBC responds to his latest demands, remains to be seen.
The immediate issue is whether the electoral agency will provide further public details about voter registration in border counties and its plans for the voter register audit.
Follow RickyMedia for Breaking News and Updates
Stay informed about breaking news, major developments and important stories from Kenya and around the world.
Visit RickyMedia.co.ke for more updates, and share this story to help keep others informed.
Join our WhatsApp channel for breaking news and updates:
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vaesd544o7qQuR1QgQ20
