Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat of misconduct during the Magarini Constituency by-elections.
In a letter dated November 24 and addressed to IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon, Gachagua alleged that Araphat improperly took over the management of the Magarini polls, a role he said had originally been assigned to Commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana, who had been deployed to the Coast region.
According to Gachagua, the alleged irregularities began on Friday, November 21, when Araphat “bullied, intimidated, and coerced” electoral officials overseeing the by-election.
He further claimed that Araphat demanded a full list and contact details of all presiding officers and later held a meeting with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro at a Malindi hotel, where a bribery negotiation allegedly occurred.
“This was in exchange for the list and names of all presiding officers, along with instructions intended to help Governor Gideon Mung’aro manipulate the elections in favour of his preferred candidate,” Gachagua alleged.
The DCP leader further claimed that on November 22, Governor Mung’aro allegedly provided a bribe deposit to Araphat, who in turn handed over the presiding officers’ list and contact information.
“It is shocking and utterly unbelievable that an IEBC commissioner at the level of Vice Chairperson can engage in such an extreme effort to interfere with a by-election,” Gachagua wrote.
He demanded that IEBC replace all officials stationed in Magarini and ensure that electoral staff are protected from what he termed harassment and intimidation by the vice chairperson.
“We further demand that you restrain and restrict your rogue vice chairperson, Fahima Araphat Abdallah, from interfering with the Magarini by-elections or any other elections within the Republic of Kenya,” Gachagua concluded.
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