National Security Advisory Committee Denies Trying to Interfere with Presidential Results in Raila's Favor

The National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) has denied claims by IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati that it attempted to interfere with the presidential results.

Chebukati, in an affidavit filed at the Supreme Court responding to the petition challenging president-elect William Ruto’s victory, claimed that the committee demanded moderation of results to favor Azimio La Umoja presidential candidate Raila Odinga.

He alleged that some members of the powerful committee led by Head of Public Service Joseph Kinyua and other senior government officials wanted to subvert the will of the people by asking him to ensure a runoff if he could not declare Odinga as the winner in August 9th presidential election.

Chebukati also listed Principal Administrative Secretary at the office of the President Kennedy Kihara, Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Vice Chief of Defense Forces General Francis Omondi Ogolla.

In a replying affidavit, Kinyua who chairs the NSAC admitted that officials met the electoral commission but to only address security concerns raised.

‘I categorically deny the second respondent’s insinuation that I arranged a meeting between him and members of the NSAC with a view to influencing the outcome of the presidential election held on August 9, 2022, in favor of a particular candidate,” Kinyua states.

He stated members of the public together with various political parties, party agents and even the candidates themselves were present at meeting with the IEBC at Bomas of Kenya.

“Had the intention of the NSAC been as sinister as sought to be portrayed in the affidavits, the subject of this response, the meeting would not have been requested and held at such an open and public venue with all the commissioners present,” Kinyua adds.

On his part, the Principal Administrative Secretary at the Office of the President Kennedy Kihara says they acted on the instructions of NSAC to meet Chebukati to advise him on security issues.

"The meeting was necessitated by the fact that the NSAC in the discharge of its mandate had become ceased of information to the effect that the delays in declaring the results of the presidential elections and the manner in which results were being transmitted including the stoppage of the public display of results had generated considerable public anxiety and tension and risked creating the opportunity for chaos, violence, and insecurity in parts of the country," Kihara says in his affidavit.