The Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati on Monday, September 5, addressed Kenyans following the Presidential petition ruling by the Supreme Court Judges.
While addressing the media, Chebukati appreciated Kenyans for peacefully exercising their right to vote on 9th August in accordance with Article 38 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
“In fulfilment of the Constitution, the Commission put in place a robust and transparent election infrastructure to ensure that votes cast were counted, electronically transmitted, verified, tallied, announced, and declared in line with Articles 81 and 86 of the Constitution,” Chebakuti said.
The Commission passed their gratitude to their staff both permanent and temporary who executed their mandate diligently. The commission also thanked the other stakeholders including the judiciary, National Police Service, and service providers who participated in the electoral process. However, Chebukati noted with concern the failure of the state and human rights groups for bringing to book those who caused chaos or harassment to the commission’s staff.
“In the course of discharging our constitutional duty, the commission and its staff endured harassment, intimidation, abduction, arrests and some lost their lives,” Wafula Chebuati stated.
He further listed specific forms of harassment in various parts of the country which included physical harassment, abduction, torturing, unwarranted arrests, ethnic profiling, and assault.
“To date, no one has been arrested for this crime committed against the Commission and its staff. As it stands, no human rights and civil society organisations have condemned these heinous acts. Working for the IEBC should not be a death sentence,” he went on to state.
Wafula Chebukati said the Supreme Court judgment is a testimony that the commission conducted a free, fair, transparent, and credible general election that met the democratic aspirations of the people of Kenya.
“The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is finally vindicated,” he said.
