Chebukati Declines To Appear Before Ruto-Raila Talks Committee
Chebukati was invited by NADCO on Monday to make his submissions regarding the conduct of the 2022 elections
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Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has announced that he will not be appearing before the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) which invited him for the hearing.
In a statement on Thursday, September 28, Chebukati stated that the 2022 general elections were a closed case and that appearing before the NADCO would be betraying the IEBC staff who were tortured and murdered during the election period.
"We were appointed into office on January 18th, 2017, for a six (6) year term and successfully completed our tour of duty on January 17th, 2023. We have gone through the five thematic areas and would like to inform you that we do not wish to make any submissions before the Committee.
"Our decision is informed by our perspective that the issues being addressed by the Committee are either within the mandate of other agencies or have been resolved by the legally mandated agencies," stated Chebukati.
Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka (Left) and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah (Right) conversing on August 30, 2023. /KALONZO MUSYOKA
The committee co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah was formed to break the political standoff between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja.
Chebukati was invited by NADCO on Monday to make his submissions regarding the conduct of the 2022 elections, whose results the opposition had contested at the Supreme Court of Kenya, unsuccessfully.
"With tremendous respect to the Committee, our participation in the talks would be an unmitigated betrayal to the staff who were tortured and murdered and an unfortunate reward for impunity," he stated.
Chebukati has instead called for a Commission of Inquiry to be set up to investigate the unfortunate incidences of August 15, 2022, at Bomas of Kenya which brought the image of Kenya into disrepute.
"The Inquiry should also uncover the reasons why some of the Commission's staff were abducted, tortured or even killed during the election period; identify persons responsible for those atrocities, and thereafter appropriate punishment should be meted out.
"The outcome of such an Inquiry will bolster the independence of the Commission (IEBC) and ensure that it maintains the stature contemplated in the Constitution of Kenya," he added.
He reiterated that during his tenure, IEBC delivered on its mandate, including the successful conduct of the 2022 General Elections, adding that it is through those elections that the President, Governors, Senators, Members of the National Assembly and those of County Assemblies now occupy their offices, some of them currently members of the NADCO Committee.
"The conduct of the 2022 elections has been the subject of litigation by Courts across the country; and with respect to the presidential poll, a final determination was made by the Supreme Court. It is neither our wish nor our desire to participate in a process whose outcome would be to sully the Constitution and some of its organs," Chebukati affirmed.
The audit of the 2022 general elections formed top of the issues to be deliberated by NADCO.
Other issues include cost of living, enactment of law on party affiliation, establishment of offices of opposition leaders and Prime Cabinet Secretary and entrenchment of funds into the National Government Constituency Development Fund.
Chebukati's decline to appear before NADCO can be seen as a major step back in the committee's push for reforms at IEBC following the 2022 polls.
