Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto deliberately rejected Charles Nyachae for the position of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson due to unresolved historical differences. Gachagua made the claims during a Monday morning interview with Egesa FM.
According to Gachagua, the selection panel responsible for shortlisting candidates for the IEBC chairmanship had identified Nyachae as a leading contender. However, despite his strong credentials, President Ruto is said to have dismissed Nyachae’s nomination and instead settled on Erastus Edung Ethekon for the influential role.
“The panel gave two names to the president. Charles Nyachae was the top contender, but the president refused to consider him,” Gachagua stated. He claimed that the decision was rooted not in merit, but in personal animosity related to past political tensions involving Nyachae’s late father, former powerful Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae.
Gachagua implied that the late Simeon Nyachae’s strained relationship with Ruto during the early 2000s, when both were rising political figures, may have influenced the president’s rejection of Charles Nyachae. He criticized the move, suggesting that such a critical constitutional office should not be subject to personal vendettas.
“The IEBC is a key institution for democracy, and appointments should reflect the country’s interest, not personal scores,” Gachagua added.
The State House has yet to respond to the claims. Charles Nyachae, a lawyer and former constitutional commissioner, has also not issued a statement regarding the allegations.
The controversy adds a new dimension to the already sensitive process of reforming the IEBC ahead of the 2027 General Election, raising concerns over transparency and political influence in constitutional appointments.
