NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is facing a significant test of public confidence just days before a series of crucial by-elections. On Monday, November 24, 2025, IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon publicly defended his deputy, Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, against serious allegations of electoral interference in the upcoming Magarini Constituency by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025.

The controversy erupted following a formal complaint lodged by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). In a letter addressed to Chairman Ethekon, Gachagua accused Vice Chairperson Abdallah of “reckless conduct and corrupt covert means” to influence the by-election's outcome. The letter, dated November 24, alleges that Abdallah travelled to Magarini on Friday, November 21, where she intimidated and coerced local electoral officials.

Gachagua’s detailed accusations claim Abdallah demanded a full list of presiding officers and their contacts. He further alleged that she held an evening meeting at a Malindi hotel with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro and another IEBC Commissioner, Dr. Alutalala Mukhwana, where a bribery scheme was purportedly negotiated to favour the governor's preferred candidate. The DCP leader has demanded the immediate replacement of all appointed presiding officers in Magarini and a full investigation into the Vice Chairperson's conduct, calling for her suspension.

IEBC Assures Public of Fair Polls

In response, IEBC Chairman Erastus Ethekon acknowledged receipt of Gachagua's letter and described the allegations as “weighty.” However, he moved to assure the Kenyan public and all political stakeholders of the commission's unwavering commitment to a free, fair, and credible electoral process in Magarini and 21 other electoral areas holding by-elections on the same day. Ethekon stated that all IEBC processes are protected by established institutional safeguards and that the appointment and training of poll officials followed legally defined procedures. He emphasized that the commission treats all matters touching on integrity with the “utmost seriousness.” As of the publication of this article, Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah had not issued a direct personal statement in response to the allegations. FURTHER INVESTIGATION REQUIRED.

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has vehemently denied the accusations, dismissing them as propaganda. Mung'aro asserted that the claims were a sign of panic from the DCP, predicting that their candidate, Stanley Karisa Kenga, would lose to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) candidate, Harrison Kombe. “I want to tell Kenyans and the people of Magarini to ignore this guy (Gachagua),” Mung'aro stated on Monday, November 24.

A High-Stakes Contest with a Tainted History

The Magarini by-election is particularly significant as it was ordered by the Supreme Court of Kenya. The court nullified the August 2022 election victory of ODM's Harrison Kombe after his competitor, then of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Stanley Kenga, successfully petitioned the results, citing electoral malpractices and irregularities, including ballot stuffing. This history places an even greater burden on the newly constituted IEBC, led by Ethekon, to conduct a poll that is beyond reproach.

Gachagua’s complaint also highlighted what he termed an IEBC policy of not deploying commissioners or senior officers to oversee elections in their home regions to ensure impartiality. Vice Chairperson Abdallah hails from the Coast region. While this policy is widely cited, an official, publicly available IEBC document explicitly detailing this rule remains unconfirmed. DETAILS UNCONFIRMED.

Broader Implications for Kenya's Electoral Integrity

This single constituency dispute has broader implications for Kenya, serving as a critical stress test for the new electoral commission appointed in June 2025 after a prolonged vacancy. A total of 24 by-elections, including six for Members of the National Assembly and one for the Baringo County Senate seat, are scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. These polls are widely seen as a mini-general election and a bellwether for the political landscape leading up to the 2027 General Election.

The Elections Observation Group (ELOG), a prominent Kenyan civil society organization, had earlier, on November 17, 2025, petitioned the IEBC to take firm action against public officers engaging in political activities, reminding the commission of the legal requirement for political neutrality. The allegations in Magarini amplify these concerns, placing the conduct of public officials and the independence of the IEBC under intense scrutiny. The commission's handling of this matter will be pivotal in building or eroding public trust as the country moves towards the next electoral cycle.