Kenya: Gachagua Threatens Nationwide IEBC Protests Over Voter Register

What the report says

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has threatened to mobilize 10,000 people to protest at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) headquarters, amid disputes over voter registration in border counties ahead of the 2027 General Election. In comments reported by Capital FM and distributed by AllAfrica, Gachagua said the commission should explain how many voters have been registered in areas such as Wajir and Mandera, and warned that demonstrations could also target constituency-level IEBC offices if officials do not respond.

The issue comes against a backdrop of allegations about the issuance of Kenyan identity cards and voter cards near the Kenya-Uganda border, including claims involving foreign nationals. The IEBC has rejected those accusations, saying it has not seen credible evidence of illegal registration or unauthorized transfers, and noting that it does not issue national identity documents. The commission also denied reports that election kits had gone missing or been moved outside the country.

The dispute has drawn in other public figures and agencies. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has defended the rights of eligible Kenyan citizens living across the border to obtain documents, while Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has urged tighter vetting. The article also notes that the IEBC is preparing for a voter register audit expected to be completed by February 2027, a process seen as important for identifying errors and protecting confidence in the election process.