The united opposition has expressed concerns of a possible 2027 election fraud, after alleging that Jose Carmago, who was controversial during the 2022 general election, was spotted in the Statehouse.
Speaking on Wednesday, January 7, in Nyandarua County during the burial service of Kipipiri Member of Parliament Wanjiku Muhia’s father, former Attorney General Justin Muturi, alleged that Carmago was seen in the Statehouse recently and demanded that President William Ruto explain what the said person was doing in the country.
According to Muturi, on July 6 and 7, 2025, Jose Carmago and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer, Hussein Marjan, were seen at the Statehouse, claiming that the upcoming elections could be compromised.
Muturi claims that the local partner to Carmago’s company, which was one of the IEBC commissioners, was now an advisor at Ruto’s office.
“It is very clear the reason why William Ruto is bragging about his track record and that he will win is because the commissioner is now one of his advisors. If not, then let him explain what Jose Carmago was doing in the Statehouse last year together with Husein Marjan,” Muturi stated.
DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, alleged that the IEBC manipulated the recent by-elections, likening the process to the so-called Venezuela rigging model. He further claimed that the Smartmatic system used by the commission was an instrument of electoral fraud, insisting they have evidence to back the allegations.
They demanded that the IEBC terminate the contract with Carmago’s Smartmatic company, even after the IEBC extended the contract with the company in 2025. Wamalwa claimed the extension was also illegal and, therefore, called for the resignation of Hussein Marjan.
Jose Carmago is a Venezuelan IT expert who developed the Smartmatic technology system that Kenya used during the 2022 general elections.
He was at the centre of election rigging claims by lawyers of late former prime minister Raila Odinga during the 2022 election petition hearings after the lawyers alleged that Carmago tampered with election results by allegedly compromising the election technology system.
In 2025, Kalonzo Musyoka alleged that Carmago was seen in the country at times when the IEBC portal was reported to be offline for maintenance, with some reports stating that the it expert continued to work as a systems software developer by the electoral body.
During the funeral, the leaders also criticised the President’s recent efforts in the fight against drugs and illicit brews. He noted that the initiative was that of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.
He, however, insisted on the unity of the Mount Kenya region, noting that they will continue advocating for the rights of the citizens, vowing to send the President packing in 2027.
