Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has declined an invitation to present views before the National Dialogue Committee.
In a statement on Thursday, September 28, the retired Chairman noted that doing so would amount to betraying his fellow IEBC Commissioners whom he says were tortured and persecuted for standing with the truth.
According to him, matters regarding the process of the 2022 election were already resolved. As such he saw no need to revive them before the dialogue committee.
Chebukati was expected to make a presentation in the ongoing committee sessions at Bomas of Kenya alongside former Commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu.
“I won’t be appearing before the National Dialogue Committee to discuss issues that have been resolved,” Chebukati noted.
“To participate would be to betray IEBC staff who were tortured & murdered & a reward for impunity.”
He went on to state that purporting to make presentations on the conduct of the 2022 polls would amount to contempt of the Supreme Court which pronounced itself on the matter.
Chebukati calls for inquiry
Further, he expressed his hopes that the state would eventually establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the intrigues that transpired in the Bomas National Tallying Center.
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In particular, Chebukati underscored the need to investigate the motives behind the abduction of IEBC staff during the polls.
According to him, such a commission would help strengthen IEBC’s independence and ensure that it retains the powers envisaged in the constitution.
“Our participation in the talks would be an unmitigated betrayal to the staff who were tortured and murdered and an unfortunate reward for impunity.”
Chebukati led Gulihye and Molu to retirement in January months after presiding over the contested 2022 election.
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Whilst some quarters described the August 2022 election as the most credible in Kenya’s history, Azimio la Umoja leaders disputed the outcome citing evidence from a whistleblower.
Further, the election was marred by controversies including the division among its commissioners and postponement of election in some counties.
Bomas talks continue
Meanwhile, the Bomas talks continued at the Bomas with various persons making submissions on Thursday.
Among those who appeared before the committee were former Attorney General Githu Muigai and the Registrar of Political Parties Ann Nderitu.