Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Abdi Guliye while testifying before the tribunal on Monday, January 23 claimed that National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC) told them to declare Raila Odinga the winner of the August 2022 presidential elections or face a runoff.
Guliye while speaking before the tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Muchelule stated that a few hours before announcing the final presidential results on August 15, 2022, a team of four visitors demanded an audience with all commissioners at around 10:00 a.m.
Moreover, Guliye’s affidavit states that Wafula Chebukati acknowledged the summons but had to postpone the meeting until 2:00 p.m. as he was finalizing some vote verification processes.
The outgoing IEBC commissioner further noted that Chebukati summoned everyone including the four visitors to the Bomas CEO’s boardroom at the rescheduled time.
“Once we were almost done, the chair had called for a meeting at 2 pm and this was a meeting for commissioners and our anticipation was that the final results would be printed,” Guliye said.
Guliye said the four-person team was introduced, and they stated that they were there on behalf of the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC).
The team was led by ex-Principal Administrative Secretary at President Kennedy’s office, Kennedy Kihara. Others were Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, former Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, and Lieutenant General Francis Omondi Ogolla (Vice Chief of Defence Forces).
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“I recall after we went in the boardroom the visitors also joined us led by Mr. Kihara and that was the team. There were four in total, and he was the only one who spoke. He said they were visiting on behalf of the main committee on NSAC, and he stressed that the committee was purposely chosen.” Guliye said.
Additionally, the former IEBC commissioner stated that they were instructed during the meeting to name Raila as president or force a runoff.
Guliye also said the commissioners were warned that if they declared Ruto the winner, “the country would burn,”.
“He went on to tell us reasons for their visitation and that if we declare the results in favor of William Ruto the country was going to burn. We were even threatened that should Kenyans begin to fight each other, then the blood of those Kenyans will be in our hands,” he revealed.
According to Guliye, Kihara said they required an immediate response on the matter, as Chebukati invited all commissioners to share their thoughts.
Guliye also informed the tribunal that commissioner Irene Massit, who is on trial, agreed with NSAC’s proposal.
