IEBC Can't Guarantee a Credible Election, Tough Talking Chairman Wafula Chebukati Says

IEBC Can't Guarantee a Credible Election, Tough Talking Chairman Wafula Chebukati Says

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati says that he cannot guarantee the October 26th election will be credible because the commission is divided along partisan lines.

In a strong statement issued on Wednesday at the Bomas of Kenya, Chebukati asked officials adversely mentioned in bungling the August 8th election to step aside and allow the project team he appointed to preside over the repeat election.

"I call upon staff who have been adversely mentioned to step aside," he said.

Chebukati revealed how his operations has been thwarted by the majority of commissioners, who throw out every decision he makes towards ensuring a free, fair and credible election.

"If we cannot disagree and remain friends, then the foundation of our friendship is shaken. As a lawyer, I cannot continue to be pushed by the majority of the commissioners," he warned, as he addressed the press, at the Bomas of Kenya.

Although he ruled out resigning from the commission, Chebukati was categorical that he will not go down as the presidential returning officer who plunged the country into crisis.

"Resignation would be the easiest thing but I am determined to make this work. I will not go down as the Chairman who plunged the country into a deeper crisis,".

"Let me and my commission do our job and we will deliver, continue interfering and we will remain stuck as a country. I will not allow anyone to destroy this country as long as I am the referee of this contest,".

He further invited National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga and the Jubilee presidential candidate Uhuru Kenyatta for talks that he will referee.

Chebukati said he is giving a yellow card to all political parties and stated that he will not tolerate threats on IEBC staff from both sides of the political divide.

"As the referee of this election I am extending an open hand to the presidential candidates for dialogue. We are the hope of Africa and we must display this in every aspect of our existence. I'm giving a yellow card to all the political leaders in this country. Kenyans are paying a lot of money for this election & as their custodian I will not let the money of the Kenyan people go to waste,".

Wafula Chebukati said that the commission is operationally prepared to conduct the elections on October 26th.

On Dr. Roselyn Akombe's resignation, Chebukati said that she was one of the best mind the Commission had, adding that her thoughts will be missed.

Comments

formerlyguest 2 (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:09am

Then resign, the election can always be postphoned to 5 years from now. This is bullshit. The Parliament should halt the elction till 2022 and who ever is the sitting president continues . F#$$$@@@@ that! Holding a country in hostage . Bure Kabisa. Chebukati resign too!

GG (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:08am

In reply to by formerlyguest 2 (not verified)

No, according to the constitution, if elections will not be held, the speaker of the house will become the next president as per dictates of presidential line of succession.

Guest1 (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:31am

In reply to by formerlyguest 2 (not verified)

formerlyguest 2. Wee wacha Norma. What Chebukati is (in a Nutshell) saying "Loud and Clear" is that: The Oct.26.17 Scheduled Election should be POSTPONED!!! until there is CREDIBLE and Level Playing Ground. As Rosyln Ambuye said: Chebukati is Under Siege! (and "according to me" Chebukati is NOT taking it Lying Down!!!) and he is Calling for Help LEST some people Strungle him like They Strungled Msando. What Chebukati is saying is that: I can't DEAL with this; and my Life is in DANGER!!! He is Warning and " Calling Out" to Kenyans who care about his Life and the Lives of Other IEBC Commissioners (other Kenyans) that Somethongs are NOT Right for Oct.26.17 Presidential Election.

Onesmus Ochunyo (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:41am

This is a disappointing message from the Chairman coming one week from the elections. You are in charge and are pocketing a lot of money for that. Do what you are paid to do and guarantee a transparent and credible election. What you have said is one reason for the supreme court to nullify October 26 also.

formerlyguest 2 (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:45am

In reply to by Onesmus Ochunyo (not verified)

I concur, I guess Patriotism is dead in Kenya. It is all about how I can be manipulated and possibly paid millions to sway things. Sad I was sweet talking my family on relocating back but now I can see the country I thought had sensible people is now unrecognizable!

formerlyguest 2 (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:51am

In reply to by Guest1 (not verified)

Do not agree with me , that is your version of event and I have me and both do not make it right. Chebukati and his team were supposed to be independent!!! period! What transparency. WHy is he so weak ot be swayed by the political parties, why was he holding meetings with anyone except his team .. Nonesense !

Ben (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:53am

We should have stuck with Isaak Hassan team which was hired by Public Service Commission. The quagmire, of commissioners who are political party agents, is a result of Uhuru agreeing to 'dialog' with Raila when the latter wanted Isaak Hassan out. Chebukati and his politically appointed IEBC commissioners (including Akombe) are a product of that 'dialog'. It seems the practical thing to do, after all, it to postpone this election until such a time that the IEBC will be able to vouch for its own preparedness. In the meantime, Kenya has a president and people should let him do the job until another one is elected, just as the constitution says.

Honestly (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:56am

A credible Election was held and the winner was announced August 8, 2017. A rogue and non-credible .666 of the Supreme Court nullified it, on the excuse of NASA dissatisfaction. Open ballot boxes count and announce, then transmit the results to their phones. It is true all are partisan, it is not true that all are right or truthful. Truth is exclusive and consistent. The truth Uhuru was legitimately elected. Truth Kenya will only rest when ODM and Luo Nyanza Secede, perhaps one slice of the 42.

child of God (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 09:58am

I wonder why he keeps inviting this goons to a meeting. He should concentrate on the task at hand. the court asked them to prepare and conduct elections. not consult and conduct elections.... Raila should be arrested and locked away for good.

Ben (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 12:46pm

In reply to by child of God (not verified)

Agreed. It makes no sense for the head of an independent body to ask for 'guidance' or what he is seeking from these two people. What is he going to tell them that is not already in the public domain?

Maxiley (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 07:19pm

In reply to by MaragA (not verified)

Chebu should quit skirting,he should point out the adversely named people. I also question the ability of the elections to on fairly.If he cannot guarantee fair,and unbiased elections,then why have them?Looks like we will go back to the supreme court for who should be the president...

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:13am

Raila said there will be no election on Oct 26 - those who don't believe him are fools - Why is Uhuru campaigning in the rain like a mad man na baba alisema hakuna election? Baba is travelling around the world as he has already said there will be no election - na jubilee are campaigning - hii ni upuzi ya aina gani ? THERE WILL BE NO ELECTION - Uhuru is a coward and surrounded by coward hyenas whose work is just to eat public resources - kapish !!!!!

Ben (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 12:53pm

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

You people are very amusing. Uhuru is a coward untill he finya's a few b*alls and you all yap about how has become a strong-man. Or is it because Raila is more of the strong-man, overruling the President and the Constitution? When Raila's day of reckoning comes, even you will be crying how Uhuru has become worse than Museveni!

Mwangaza (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:14am

Chairman, you cannot escape responsibility. Had you been on top of things we wont be where we are today. The court did not find any of your commissioners or secretariat employees culpable, why then do you song the NASA narrative? Did you find out who caused the much cited "irregularities" and "illegalities" to discredit the election? How about the reasoning that the election court could not go back to the ballots to confirm the will of the people? Are you Mr. chairman going to resign like Akombe and NASA presidential candidates so that the misconstrued notion of caretaker government can be an option? Reflect on the cases in Egypt, Syria and Libya among others and imagine what this might mean for Kenya.
The pressure from politicians is understandably worrying but if your commission could handle the issues with honesty, such pressure can be handled through coordination with security forces. If none of the IEBC officials are not trustworthy, what is left? You have already thrown everything build over 50 years to the dogs. History with judge your leadership.

sokora (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:19am

The bottom line is there will be an election on October 26. And if Maraga decided to nullify it for a second time, the lawyers must force a recount. We cannot hold Kenya hostage anymore.

DR. Koni Hanene (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 11:57am

Wafula Chebukati is another Raila mole. Uhuru should fire all his handlers including Chief of Stall Kinyua once he gets elected. How could he/they allow things to get this far. The third Raila coup attempt came very close to toppling him in front of his eyes. It is as if he was sleeping or didn't know what was going on around him. What happened to the days when a president when the ultimate power broker? It seem like Raila is now the ultimate power broker in Kenya with all the big shot people-Maraga, chebutkati-on his side yet Kenyan population is on Uhuru side. This should not be happening!!!!

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 12:38pm

In reply to by DR. Koni Hanene (not verified)

I couldnt agree more - uhurus advisers spend all day chasing deals and tenders - then meet jioni to drink whitecup - Raila spends all day locked in board rooms with lawyers, civil society etc ploting coups, studying the constitution, looking for loopholes etc - thats how we ended up where we are - raila says there is no election next week - uhurus responds like a coward ati "raila please let pple vote" - what kind of nonsense is this - infact if an alien visits from mars, he would think raila is the president - total nonsense

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 12:46pm

In reply to by DR. Koni Hanene (not verified)

I couldnt agree more - uhurus advisers spend all day chasing deals and tenders - then meet jioni to drink whitecup - Raila spends all day locked in board rooms with lawyers, civil society etc ploting coups, studying the constitution, looking for loopholes etc - thats how we ended up where we are - raila says there is no election next week - uhurus responds like a coward ati "raila please let pple vote" - what kind of nonsense is this - infact if an alien visits from mars, he would think raila is the president - total nonsense

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 06:33pm

As the chairman you readily admit that your house is not in order. You are not sure that you will conduct a credible election. So what do you do .First you can ask for more time second you can resign.Kenya cannot afford this stalement that is currently going on. The speaker of the house needs to take over. Uhuru cannot continue to behave like he is the president elect forever. Roselyn Akombe already left a wise move since no amount of money or prestige is worth one's life.Why the supreme court is so silent is baffling.If the sham elctions take place there will be chaos and god knows what else. If uhuru is sworn in we do not want a repeat of ethnic clashes.Who will provide direction and the way forward.Do not blame Raila as he quit and his name should not be on the ballot box and those leaders calling for dialogue between the 2 leaders are not helping.NASA is not interested in nusu mkate nor are they willing to accept or even participate in a sham election. May god save Kenya

OneDay@times (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 10:46pm

Cheb., they say you are well-intentioned man, but being good is not good enough. This is the time for you to be great, not good. This is why they need commissioners at IEBC;to help the country navigate the tough times. This is not time to find convenient exit. Any run of the mill analyst will acknowledge that you have a tough job and all eyes are on you and your capacity to deliver against all odd. You are likely to be this way only once so if there is any good you can do for Kenya, do it now.

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 11:10pm

Do you want to run away too?you better do it now than wait on the 26th.i think everybody in that team has been compromised or biased in away.that country is bigger than unhurt,raila,Ruth,kalonzo and the other chest thumpers.its the country that was left to us by our forefathers but some cunning animals have hijacked the country using the dark evils in the name of power.as I write some of my brothers and sisters have lost their loved ones.the country has fallen to anarchy.if you let the country burn ,the blood that will be spilt and the voices will cry for your name .if you believe something is not workable bite the bullet.let uhuruand raila know it can't work and you save the country.they will be mad at you for one day but u will save 45 million Kenyans and many property from destruction.stand for the country not for your tribesmen or friends .and god will shower you blessings.stand up to those ruling elites.it looks to me that this team feel entitled like if they are gone the country will cease.

Anonymous (not verified)     Wed, 10/18/2017 @ 11:21pm

Chebukatii feel for you and I know you are under immense pressure.i wonder what that fake Chief Justice is saying when he is riding in tax paid vehicles behaving like a big man.its up to him to revisit his crazy judgement.being my learned friend does not mean you ignore the basic rules of traffic right cause you think you are above the rest.resign and see what he is going to do with his fake judgement .he was paid with his friends to cause anarchy. Error in judgement

The judges politized the whole election.we have lost almost 50 billions in election cost and 100s of billions in lost revenue because of fake judgement.i hope those judges are still smiling and hoping for the best.its unfortunate we pay r
Them big money to mess the country.pray I don become the president.that will be it all me a dictator but that's what is needed in a crazy country like this.hooligans.kagame and Museveni style of governing needed in that sick society.corruption is almost crippling all the institutions of governing

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