The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati on Monday, September 5 addressed his fallout with his vice-chair, Juliana Cherera and three other commissioners over the outcome of the presidential election results.
Speaking at Anniversary Towers, Chebukati noted that the four commissioners were free to do as they wish moving forward.
He, however, affirmed that the four were still part of the commission.
“As a commission, we followed the law, and it’s up to them and their conscience on what they wanted to do going forward. We have not chased away anyone,” Chebukati stated.
The IEBC chairperson noted that the Supreme Court vindicated the commission over the credibility of the electoral process
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is finally vindicated. We look forward to the full judgment of the Supreme Court as well as feedback from our stakeholders during the post-election evaluation exercise which will inform areas of improvement in the electoral process,” he stated.
The chair also highlighted the torment that the IEBC staff had to endure during the electioneering period. He questioned why no one had been arrested for ethnical profiling, cyberbullying, threats, torture and at times death of its staff.
“To date, no one has been arrested for these crimes committed against Members of the Commission and its staff. As it stands, no human rights and civil society organisation have condemned these heinous acts meted on the Commission and its staff. Working for IEBC should not be a death sentence,” he noted.
The dissension between the commissioners played out during the announcement of the presidential election at Bomas of Kenya when four commissioners disowned the results.
While delivering the ruling, the Supreme Court noted that the commission’s differences weren’t enough to overthrow the presidential election.
“IEBC needs far-reaching reforms. However, are we to nullify an election because of a last-minute boardroom rapture? This we cannot do,” read part of the Supreme court ruling.
Congratulations to all Kenyans for your maturity in the whole process of elections. Kudos Chebukati for IEBC and so is Koome for the Judiciary. You really demonstrated that this constitutional institutions stands for their own.