Gachagua Raises Alarm Over IEBC’s Sh30 Million Election Tender
Former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua questioned the transparency of the tender for election technology ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at his Karen residence on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the specifications in the tender could favor a specific supplier. He challenged the procurement process for the Integrated Elections Management System, which the agency advertised on August 11, 2026, with a submission deadline of September 1.
Gachagua claimed the procurement process was set up to benefit an overseas technology company, though he provided no evidence showing that the agency had already awarded the tender. Instead, he challenged the electoral agency to explain how it developed and approved the technical specifications.
Gachagua called for the release of internal committee minutes, technical working papers, market surveys, and approval records related to the procurement. He also asked whether mandatory technical and qualification requirements might exclude other qualified bidders.
“Can IEBC produce documentary evidence showing who drafted the technical specifications?” he asked.
Sh30 Million Tender Security Under Fire
Gachagua also criticized the Sh30 million tender security requirement, arguing that bidders lacked sufficient information regarding quantities, commercial scope, estimated value, and budgetary basis to evaluate financial risks.
“Why did IEBC require a tender security of Sh30 million while failing to disclose sufficient information regarding the quantities, commercial scope, estimated procurement value, or the budgetary basis necessary to demonstrate compliance with Section 61 of the PPADA, and how were bidders expected to assess commercial risk under those circumstances?” he asked.
He further demanded that the electoral agency clarify what safeguards exist to maintain a fair, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective procurement.
The former Deputy President tied his concerns directly to legal requirements, stating, “The IEBC must tell Kenyans whether this procurement process aligns with Article 227 of the Constitution and Sections 60–61 of the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act (PPADA).”
Additionally, Gachagua raised questions regarding proposed amendments to election technology laws and the ownership of intellectual property tied to election management systems.
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