
As everyone should know by now there is a game of evidence, proof and hearsay to prove that the Presidential Elections of 9th August 2022 in Kenya was rigged. I have already discussed some of the findings in the Azimio Petition, John Githongo affidavit, Ruto Response and now will look into IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati response to the Azimio petition to the Supreme Court.
It seems important to look into. The Azimio petition was really targeting him and Presidential-Elect William Ruto. So, they really claimed him to be a mastermind and a criminal suspect. That’s because the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) announced Ruto instead of Raila Odinga. Therefore, the response here is important and can shed some light on the matter.
The first striking paragraph: “The text and tone of the Petition are not only misleading but also seek to mischaracterize the issues with a view to discrediting the Commission and wrongly evoking disaffection against the Commission and myself” (Chebukati Affidavit, 2022).
Here we see how the words and efforts to undermine his leadership was in the petition. They are trying to make him seem as a boogeyman and he calls it rightfully so. While it will be up to the Supreme Court to state if there was any wrongdoing or not. As the IEBC claims there was only done acts accordingly to Constitution and other electoral law.
The IEBC Chairman later stated the fact that the petition called him “treasonous” and involved in a “criminal enterprise” which is things he differs on and clearly says in this regard: “The election was administered in a transparent, impartial, neutral, efficient, accurate and accountable manner. Further, the Commission endeavoured to deliver an election which simple. Accurate. Verifiable and secure” (Chebukati Affidavit, 2022).
This statement alone from Chebukati dunks on the whole petition of Azimio. Though he has not proven anything uniquely towards this. Only stating what he see as a fact at this point. Therefore, hard to verify that or see if the judges takes this even to account.
He also states: “That the transparency with which the process of tallying and declaration of results was undertaken is also captured in the reports of independent election observers” (Chebukati Affidavit, 2022).
In addition, about the tallying he says this: “That with the prevailing time constraints and delays caused by the Petitioners’ agents, it became necessary to further streamline the work-flow. This was achieved by allowing the Constituency Returning Officers who had been waiting on the queue for over 48 hours to present their results to the Chairperson and subsequently submit the results to the verification tables for perusal and confirmation by the agents of the presidential candidates. The verification tables were also progressively increased to 15. The streamlining of the work-flow hastened the results verification process which was eventually completed on the morning on 15th August, 2022 with full participation of agents of the participating presidential candidates and parties, and in consultation and agreement of the Chief Agents for all presidential candidates” (Chebukati, 2022).
This just shows how the protocol changed, but still within the means of verifying the results in a quicker manner. Though this could be used against him… because his saying he speeded up the process and with these sorts of acts, there are possibility of mistakes or wrong actions. That has to be proven in the end of it. That being said: His transparent about this part too.
A shocker statement which happened on the 15th August was this: “That Hon. Raphael Tuju spoke after Senator Wako. He indicated that it was necessary for the results to be ‘moderated in favour of baba’ and that any contrary declaration of results would ‘plunge the country into chaos’. As an alternative, he suggested that in the event that it was not possible to declare ‘baba’ as the President-Elect, then the Commission should force a run-off. For this, he indicated that should his request be granted it would be adequately rewarded” (Chebukati Affidavit, 2022).
Here the Chairman says the Azimio and Tuju, a representative leader of the Jubilee Party threaten the Chairman and told him to alter the results. That’s what they are claiming he did in favour of UDA or Ruto. So, this is hearsay until proven so, but it states a story, which the Azimio isn’t telling or want to tell. Because that would incriminate them, instead of the ones they are pinning election rigging on.
His statement further on the declaration is shocking too: “That seeing the events of the day, -being that there were deliberate efforts by the above-mentioned to subvert the will of the people; four of my Commissioners (Vice Chair Cherera and Commissioners Nyang’aya, Wanderi and Masit) had fled the tallying centre; and the remaining two Commissioners (Commissioner Prof. Guliye and Commissioner Molu) together with the Chief Executive Officer injured, I was apprehensive that there would be no other opportunity to declare the results and the country would slide into crisis if the results were not declared within the constitutional timelines. The fact that there was one day left was hardly reassuring considering the events of the day and the safety of Commission staff and service providers” (Chebukati Affidavit, 2022).
This here is really compelling. Especially, when you see earlier in the day that the Jubilee Party leader Tuju warned Chebukati. That says something about what went down. As we all remember how the radio silence and wonder when the IEBC would declare the results on the 15th August 2022. There was also questions looming if Odinga would even attend Bomas. The way and the manner his team acted. Maybe, they was able to sway or get their will. Therefore, he deemed it unfit and decided to instead petition the Court. That is just alleged, but shows what sort of actions went down and the chaos as Bomas was evident from everywhere.
These are just some of the things I saw in the response to the Azimio petition. As much as the Azimio petition was about Chebukati. The Chebukati is about the Azimio and how they handled the process. They clearly did interfere and did act in spite, but can it be tested and proven in Court?
Well, time will tell, but these sorts of stories proves that the Azimio isn’t all innocent actors and without any grudges. No, they had intent and wanted to whatever it took to get their candidate to win. While they now claim Chebukati did all of this to get Ruto elected. That will be tested in the Courts, but the Chebukati response is interesting. As it’s telling a story and actions of both insiders, and of outside agents who wanted to pressure or threaten Chebukati to do their bidding. Peace.














