Wafula Chebukati: Kenyans Share Memories Of Ex-IEBC Chair 1 Year After Presiding Over 2022 Polls

• President William Ruto and his allies described former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati as a defender of democracy
• But supporters of Raila Odinga believe that Chebukati and commissioners Molu Boya and Abdi Guliye mismanaged the elections
• However, a boastful Chebukati disclosed that during his tenure, IEBC endured relentless fatigue in preparation for the elections
• One year after the 2022 polls, TUKO.co.ke sought the views of Kenyans on their great memories of the former IEBC chairman

Nairobi - On Tuesday, January 17, 2023, former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners officially retired after a six-year tumultuous journey at the polls agency.

Following the hotly-contested August 9, 2022 polls, President William Ruto and his allies described Chebukati as a defender of democracy who saved “the will of the people” from being manipulated.

But in contrast, supporters of Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party leader Raila Odinga believe that Chebukati and commissioners Molu Boya and Abdi Guliye mismanaged the 2017 and 2022 elections.

Like the proverbial cat with nine lives, Chebukati has overseen three presidential polls.

How Wafula Chebukati made history at IEBC

Apparently, in all of them, his integrity has been questioned but he has survived, becoming the first IEBC boss to serve a full term since 2007.

Before Chebukati exited office, Ruto showered IEBC with accolades for doing its work under challenging circumstances and singling out Chebukati for resisting bribery and intimidation attempts.

The president claimed Chebukati and his team had been served with dire threats if they failed to accede to the wishes of the state operatives.

The president spoke when he hosted Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices members for a consultative meeting at State House, Nairobi.

"We also know, that there was a direct attempt to abduct Wafula Chebukati and murder him so that the commission would be paralysed or a blind commissioner takes over and subvert the people's sovereignty. It was a hard, cold, and lonely time. The threats were dire, the promise rewards very lavish, and the pressure relentless," said the president.

Why 4 other IEBC commissioners disagreed with Chebukati

Chebukati, Guliye, and Molu isolated themselves from the commission's majority which had disputed the presidential results.

Led by vice-chair Juliana Cherera, commissioners, namely; Justus Nyang'aya, Irene Masit, and Francis Wanderi disowned the results, citing electoral malpractices.

Ruto's assertion elicited reactions from a few of the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition leaders who urged the president to shun the politics around the concluded polls; they asked him to get down and work for Kenyans.

Raila Odinga's allies slam William Ruto

For instance, Nairobi senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino called for proper investigations into the matter to ascertain the president's assertion.

"Can the President and Chebukati stop making noise to Kenyans about the past election? It is water under the bridge. Mr. President, it’s time to stop singing and start swinging. Work for the people of Kenya," said Babu Owino.

As the country marks one year after the polls, TUKO.co.ke sought the views of Kenyans on their great memories of the former IEBC chairman.

TUKO.co.ke sampled some of the reactions below:

Joyce Wanjiru Mungai said:

"He was a very principled, bold, and courageous man."

Simon Kariuki Kamau opined:

"When I see him, I remember Jose Camargo ."

Dickson Mambili commented:

"Best man forever."

Geoffrey Ogega wrote:

"Ile time aligotwa na kukalishwa chini pale Bomas… reason...he was brave & calm."

Seneta Chepkwony opined:

"He was independent and understanding what he was doing."

Jacob Owiso said:

"Man of few words, principal, honest people thought he was weak but he had an inner wisdom."

Wilkster Mukopi commented:

"Tukikutana naye mahali hakuna watu lazima nimufinye."

Emily Naliaka wrote:

"Judas, anafanya tunaumia kwa uamuzi wake wa kiujinga."

Naj Sayeed said:

"Nakumbuka ile kofi alilambwa na yule mmasai akitaka kutangaza rais mshindi."

John Macua commented:

"A great man who stood by the truth."

On Monday, January 16, Chebukati held his last Post Election Evaluation as his tenure came to an end.

Wafula Chebukati's end of an era

A boastful Chebukati disclosed that during his tenure, the Commission endured relentless fatigue in preparation for the 2017 and 2022 elections.

"We mastered higher courage to overcome the perils of democracy and we delivered the sacred will of the people of Kenya," Chebukati said.

The former elections agency boss claimed that they stood firm in turbulent times that almost threatened the existence of a commission.

"I exit contented that we gave it our best to this Commission. We charted and weathered storms that threatened the existence of the Commission," he explained.

An opportunistic, calm Chebukati wished his successor well asking them to take the country's election to the next level.