Chebukati Shuts Down Ekuru Aukot In Twitter Clash Over 2022 Elections

Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, dismissed Thirdway Alliance Party Leader Ekuru Aukot following a heated clash that saw the former trend online for the better part of Thursday, August 24.

The clash began in the morning hours on X (formerly Twitter) when Aukot poked holes at Chebukati's remarks terming the 2022 general elections as the most free, fair and credible in the country's history.

He presented a scholarly paper titled ‘The Role of Technology in Improving the Integrity of the Electoral Process in Kenya’ on Wednesday, August 23 and explained that the achievement of the electoral body was propagated by the use of electronic devices in identifying voters and transmitting results, which improved its efficiency and credibility.

“In August 2022, Kenya held its freest, fairest and most credible election in its history. I recently presented a paper titled ‘Role of Technology in Improving the Integrity of the Electoral Process in Kenya’,” wrote Chebukati.

Aukot was however rattled by the former IEBC boss' remarks, claiming that the nomination process for the presidential candidates was choreographed even though only four candidates; William Ruto (now President), Raila Odinga, George Wajackoyah and David Mwaure made the cut out of a pool of nominated candidates.

He went on to accuse Chebukati of bias towards the rest of the nominated presidential hopefuls and locking them out, warning that he would go down as Kenya's worst IEBC chairperson.

“You're fake. The nomination process was choreographed. You couldn't understand basic constitutional provisions. You were biased to most of the candidates,” said Aukot.

"When history is properly written, you will be named as the worst chairman of IEBC Kenya. After all, you were not even the best during the interviews.”

A relentless Chebukati however told off Aukot by revealing that he failed to meet the requirements to contest the seat.

“You did not meet the requirements to stand as a presidential candidate in 2022. Period,” Chebukati stated.

To qualify for the presidency in Kenya, you must:

• be a Kenyan citizen by birth;
• not hold dual citizenship (unless, according to IEBC, the citizenship of the other country has been obtained by operation of law without the capacity to opt out);
• not owe allegiance to a foreign state;
• be qualified to stand for election as a member of Parliament;
• be a registered voter;
• must be a holder of a degree from a university recognized in Kenya;
• must be nominated by a political party or stand as an independent candidate.
• must not be a public officer or acting in any State of public office other than, President, Deputy President or Member of Parliament;
• must meet the moral and ethical requirements under the Leadership and Integrity Act;
• must not be an undischarged bankrupt;
• must not be a person of unsound mind;
• must not be subject to a sentence of imprisonment of at least six months from the date of registration of candidates or the date of elections;
• must not have been found to have abused or misused state or public office or contravened Chapter Six of the Constitution; and
• must not have been dismissed or removed from public office for contravening the provisions of Articles 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Constitution

The minimum age limit to run for president in Kenya is 18 years. The Kenyan Constitution does not have an upper presidential age limit.

Aukot was disqualified from running in the 2022 polls after failing to provide signatures and copies of sufficient ID cards to enable him to vie as required by the constitution.

Chebukati recounted that during his six-year term as the electoral body chairperson, the 2022 election was far different from the previous elections that he was in charge of.

In his presentation, the former chairperson focused on the role of technology in the transmission of results during the election, where he stated that it was timely and reduced tension among Kenyans.

“The paper highlights the importance of speed, transparency and also stability in making the tally reports publicly available and set a standard that can be applied to election practice in other countries in the region,” Chebukati said.

His remarks come in line with a recent statement by US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, when she lauded the country for ensuring credible 2022 polls, though her remarks earned her backlash from the opposition Azimio la Umoja under Raila, which in turn earned a rebuttal from President Ruto's allies.