President Ruto challenged over Chebukati murder plot claims, urged to open probe into Msando killing

Theuri says that even though it is necessary to unearth the truth and veracity of the allegations, Ruto’s sentiments could jeopardize investigations, as the police or even a commission of inquiry may be under pressure to agree with the president.

"You are left disturbed by such a message from the president, especially when the action he intends to take with regards to the information he is giving has not come out. So what are we supposed to do with that revelation?" says Theuri.

On the eve of his exit from IEBC, Wafula Chebukati called for a commission of inquiry to look into what he termed plots of intimidation and threats. The LSK chair agrees that indeed there are areas of concern to be explored.

"The outcome of the inquiry we believe would bolster the independence of the commission. It would also help future election environment devoid of intimidation,"said Chebukati

"A lot of things happened at Bomas which frankly the country needs to know," says Theuri. 

The LSK leader is however afraid that even if the president were to form a commission of inquiry to look into the Chebukati application, the outcome of such a process appears predetermined.

"There is almost expectation that the commission of inquiry is intended to return a verdict that what the president has said is validated. It would be very difficult then for anything to invalidate what the president has said," said Theuri.

At the moment, a tribunal formed to probe the conduct of four dissenting IEBC commissioners has been left with just Commissioner Irene Masit to investigate. While Theuri fears that the hands of the tribunal might also be tied, he says the Justice Aggrey Muchelule-led team can recommend further investigations that could pave way for a commission of inquiry.

Majority of senior officials alleged to have attempted to alter the presidential election outcome have either left office by resignation or by the expiry of the Kenyatta regime. 

Still, were there to be questions of criminal culpability, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations could be called in to probe. For Theuri though, the president may have spoken too soon.

"For example when they go to investigate, are they going to investigate with an aim in mind because the president has said, and therefore you cannot embarrass the president by saying that after or investigations we did not establish that there was actually a plot to assassinate Chebukati?" poses the LSK boss. 

Theuri now says should any inquest be undertaken it must include the murders of Embakasi East returning officer Daniel Musyoka in August 2022 and IEBC ICT manager Chris Msando in July 2017.

"Can you really act in isolation and only look at isolation to murder Chebukati without looking at the murder of Msando and a Returning Officer in Embakasi," says Chebukati.