Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has accused Democratic Congress Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua of being in a state of panic and fear of defeat ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy, strongly criticised Gachagua over his recent remarks concerning the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying political leaders should respect independent constitutional institutions and allow them to undertake their mandate without interference.

According to Ngetich, Gachagua’s continued criticism of the electoral commission is an indication that the former Deputy President is already concerned about the outcome of the next election, despite the country still being months away from the polls.

Ngetich claimed that the DCP leader should concentrate on selling his political agenda to Kenyans instead of attacking IEBC officials and questioning the credibility of the electoral process before the election has even taken place.

“It is abnormal for an intended contestant to start casting aspersions on a referee in a game that has not started,” Ngetich said.

He argued that electoral institutions should not become political battlegrounds, insisting that IEBC must be given the space to prepare for the 2027 polls in accordance with the Constitution and electoral laws.

Ngetich also defended the newly appointed IEBC chairperson, Erastus Ethekon, describing him as a professional who emerged through a legitimate recruitment process.

He said Ethekon should not be judged on the basis of his community, family background or political connections, but rather on his qualifications, integrity and ability to deliver a credible electoral process.

The activist said the country needs an electoral commission that is independent, professional and capable of commanding public confidence, adding that political actors have a responsibility to protect rather than weaken constitutional institutions.

Ngetich further raised concerns over the management and security of electoral technology and data, saying modern technological systems must have reliable backup mechanisms to ensure continuity in case of technical failures.

He noted that regular data backups are an important component of information security because primary data can be affected by hardware failure, cyberattacks, system errors or human mistakes.

According to him, the existence of backup systems should therefore not automatically be interpreted as evidence that an electoral system is incapable of delivering results.

He urged IEBC to remain vigilant and ensure that all officials adhere to the commission’s code of conduct, particularly as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 elections.

Ngetich also called on the commission to investigate any allegations of misconduct within its secretariat and take appropriate disciplinary action where evidence of wrongdoing is established.

He claimed that some individuals could be attempting to undermine the work of independent constitutional institutions from within, although he did not provide evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The human rights activist further accused Gachagua of relying heavily on ethnic politics and said the DCP leader should move away from what he described as politics of tribal mobilisation, hatred and revenge.

Ngetich claimed that Gachagua had begun his political mobilisation early by attempting to consolidate support among the Kikuyu community, but argued that such an approach would not be sufficient to win a national election.

He maintained that Kenya’s political landscape has changed and that no single community can determine the outcome of a presidential election without building a broad national coalition.

The activist said political leaders seeking the presidency should demonstrate how they intend to address challenges affecting ordinary Kenyans, including unemployment, the cost of living, education, healthcare, agriculture and economic opportunities for young people.

He challenged Gachagua and other opposition leaders to focus on policy alternatives instead of spending too much time criticising institutions responsible for administering elections.

Ngetich further alleged that Gachagua could be preparing his supporters and sections of the opposition to reject the outcome of the 2027 election in advance.

He warned that such a strategy could undermine public confidence in the electoral process and create unnecessary political tension after the results are announced.

According to him, all presidential candidates should publicly commit themselves to respecting the law and accepting the outcome of a free, fair and transparent election.

He said any candidate with complaints about the electoral process should use the mechanisms provided under the Constitution and electoral laws instead of mobilising supporters against independent institutions.

Ngetich also called on Kenyans to remain vigilant against political rhetoric that could divide communities ahead of the polls.

He said the country has a responsibility to protect the gains made in democratic governance and ensure that electoral competition does not degenerate into ethnic hostility or violence.

The activist maintained that the credibility of the 2027 election will depend not only on IEBC but also on the conduct of political parties, candidates, government institutions, security agencies, the media and voters.

He urged political leaders to give Kenyans an opportunity to make informed choices based on policies and development records rather than ethnic identity.

Ngetich concluded by calling on Gachagua to remain sober and concentrate on explaining his vision for Kenya instead of engaging in what he described as premature attacks on the electoral referee.

He said Kenyans are ultimately the ones who will decide the country's political direction in 2027 and urged all political actors to respect their democratic choice.