"Kuna system wanataka kuleta": Gachagua claims Ruto planning to rig 2027
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto's administration of planning to use a new system to rig the 2027 General Election
- The former deputy president also alleged that more than KSh 5 billion meant for covert security operations had been diverted
- Gachagua did not provide evidence for the claims, saying he was still waiting for additional details before revealing more information
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto's administration of laying the groundwork to manipulate the 2027 General Election, while making fresh claims about the state of Kenya's security intelligence.
Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence on Monday, August 24, Gachagua alleged that government operatives were seeking to introduce a new system that could be used to rig the upcoming polls.
The DCP leader named Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho and IEBC Vice Chairperson Fahima Arafat Abdallah while making the allegations, although he did not provide evidence linking them to an election-rigging scheme.
“There is a system that they want to bring, that will aid in rigging the votes,” Gachagua claimed.
He said he had not yet obtained all the details surrounding the alleged system but hoped to receive the remaining information before travelling to the United States.
“I don't like speaking about things when I don't have the full information. Only a small part of the details is remaining. I pray that tomorrow, before I depart Kenya, I will get the remaining details and announce them to Kenyans,” he said.
Gachagua's claims came as he concluded a 56-day consultation process at Wamunyoro.
Is Gachagua alleging a plan to rig 2027?
Gachagua claimed the alleged election system was part of a wider plan by Ruto and his allies to influence the outcome of the 2027 polls.
He did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegation, instead insisting that he was still waiting for additional intelligence before giving Kenyans more details.
The claims add to a series of allegations Gachagua has recently made against the Ruto administration over the 2027 election.
Recently, he accused the government of orchestrating violence as part of an alleged plan to disrupt and postpone the 2027 polls. He also claimed authorities were preparing conditions for a possible two-year postponement of the election and declaration of a state of emergency.
What did Gachagua say about intelligence funds?
Gachagua also accused Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of diverting money meant for intelligence and covert security operations.
He claimed he had spoken to serving police officers as well as officials from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and National Intelligence Service (NIS), who allegedly raised concerns over funding.
“Police have talked to me, including DCI and NIS officers. The problem is that the money for security allocations has been grabbed all by Ruto,” Gachagua claimed.
He alleged that more than KSh 5 billion meant for covert security operations had been taken, leaving intelligence agencies without adequate resources to gather information.
“An excess of KSh 5 billion has grabbed by Kasongo and Murkomen. There is no money available for security agencies to gather intelligence to know what is going on in the country,” he alleged.
Gachagua further claimed that officers serving in specialised security units had become demoralised because their allowances had allegedly not been paid for several months.
He mentioned the Special Operations Group (SOG), General Service Unit (GSU) and the president's security detail among those he claimed were affected.
Gachagua is scheduled to travel to the United States after completing his Wamunyoro consultations, intending to use the time abroad to reflect on his political plans.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.