Chebukati: I exit IEBC a very contented man, we gave it our best

With only a day left to the end of his tenure, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati says he is a “contented man”.

While releasing the post-election evaluation report for the August 9, 2022 polls, Chebukati shared the gains and challenges he has witnessed in his 6-year tenure.

The IEBC boss, whose term will end on January 17 said his team has set a pace for their successors, wishing them the best.

“I exit a very contented man, and I say we gave it our best. We chatted and weathered the storms that threatened the existence of the commission, we endured relentless fatigue in our preparation for election. We mastered high courage to overcome perils of democracy and we delivered the sacred will of the people of Kenya,” he said as he marked his last duty as IEBC chairman.

In addition, the outgoing chairman affirmed that the results of the disputed presidential election of 2022 reflected the will of the people.

“We have met our fair share of contributions towards strengthening democracy in Kenya. We hold that the August 2022 election – whose presidential results were upheld by the Supreme Court were free fair, credible, transparent and impartial,” he said.

On the challenges facing the commission, Chebukati called for timely funding every financial year.  

“The commission is expected to be funded within the 5-year electoral cycle but this doesn’t happen, we normally get funding the last election year. This hinders electoral activity

A major challenge facing the commission is intimidation, profiling and even abduction of its staff.

To avert such possibilities during election cycles, Chebukati says the commission wrote to the President, requesting for a public inquiry in respect of the process leading to the declaration of the final results at the Bomas of Kenya.