Gachagua accuses IEBC Vice Chair Fahima Araphat of malpractice in Magarini by-elections

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, Rigathi Gachagua, has accused the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson, Fahima Araphat, of malpractice in Magarini Constituency by-elections.

In a letter to the IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon dated November 24, Gachagua accused Araphat of taking the role of managing the Magarini polls through corrupt means, claiming the task had been commissioner Alutalala Mukhwana had been posted to the coastal region.

Gachagua claimed that the malpractice began on Friday, November 21, when the commission’s vice chairperson “bullied, intimidated and coerced the electoral officials manning the Magarini by-elections.”

Gachagua added that Araphat demanded a full list and contacts of all the officers presiding over the by-elections and held a meeting with Kilifi Governor, Gideon Mung'aro at a Hotel in Malindi, where a bribery negation took place.

"This was in exchange of the list and names of all the presiding officers and instructions there to help Governor Gideon Mung'aro bungle the elections in favour of his preferred candidate," claimed Gachagua.

The DCP leader further claimed that on November 22, Governor Mung'aro handed a bribe deposit to Araphat, and was given the list and contact details of presiding officers.

"It is shocking and utterly unbelievable that a commissioner of IEBC at the level of a Vice Chairperson can be involved in an extreme drive to bungle a by-election,” Gachagua wrote in the letter to Ethekon.

The former Deputy President demanded replacement of IEBC officials in Magarini and that the commission protects electoral officials from harassment and intimidation by the vice chairperson.

"We further demand that you restrain and restrict your rogue vice chairperson Fahima Araphat Abdallah, from bungling the Magarini by-elections and any other elections within the territory of the Republic of Kenya."