Chebukati Responds To Ruto Declaring Vacancy For IEBC Job

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, welcomed the announcement by President William Ruto of a vacancy for his position.

In a statement on Sunday, October 23, Chebukati noted that the declaration of vacancy will ensure that there is a smooth transition of the role which has not been the case before.

The President, in a Gazette notice dated October 21, 2022, had also declared vacancies for two other commissioners, whose terms end in January 2023. These are commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye.

IEBC chairman, Wafula Chebukati issuing William Ruto his certificate after winning the election. /WILLIAM RUTO

"I wish to welcome the decision to gazette impending vacancies for the positions of IEBC Chairperson and 2 Commissioners which will officially be vacant from 18/1/2023.

"This will ensure a smooth transition and retention of institutional memory which has previously not been the case," he wrote.

According to the IEBC Act, the President should gazette the vacancies six months before the commissioner's terms expire.

He is also expected to appoint a selection panel consisting of seven persons for purpose of appointment the chairperson or members of the commission. 

Chebukati was appointed the IEBC chairperson in December 2016 and was part of the commission that oversaw the 2017 and 2022 general elections, both contested at the Supreme Court. While the first one was nullified, the second one was upheld.

While declaring Ruto as the winner of the 2022 elections on Monday, August 15, Chebukati revealed that the polls would be the last he was supervising as the chairperson.

"This was my last election as the Commission's chairperson," Chebukati stated at the Bomas of Kenya after the event was marred with chaos. 

Commissioners Molu and Guliye stood with Chebukati throughout the elections and the Presidential Election petition filed by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Martha Karua. However, His deputy, Juliana Cherera, led three other commissioners, Justus Nyang'aya, Francis Wanderi and Irene Masit in rejecting the presidential results, causing divisions between them.

Ruto hailed Chebukati as a hero as his actions ensured that the will of the people was safeguarded.

"That we can resist bribery, and blackmail and intimidation and serve the public interests as public servants... I want to say Chebukati is the hero of this election," Ruto lauded the IEBC chair.

Commissioner Boya Molu is notably shortlisted for a Principal Secretary job in Ruto's government, as is Chebukati's wife, Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati.