Ruto Confers Chebukati, Moya Bolu With Presidential Awards

IEBC commissioner Boya Molu, who is also leaving office in January 2023, was conferred with

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Dec 12, 2022 - 16:29 Updated: Dec 12, 2022 - 17:05
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Ruto Confers Chebukati, Moya Bolu With Presidential Awards
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati (centre) with commissioners Prof Yusuf Guliye (left) and Boya Molu, during a past press briefing at the Anniversary Towers, Nairobi. /DAILY NATION

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, will leave the office at the end of his term in January 2023 as the holder of a presidential award by President William Ruto.

The Head of State in a Gazette notice dated Monday, December 12 conferred him with the Order of the Golden Heart (OGH) - the highest award given to civilians- in the category of second class (Elder of the Order of the Golden Heart- EGH).

IEBC commissioner Boya Molu, who is also leaving office in January 2023, was conferred with the Order of the Burning Spear (OBS) in the category of the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS). His colleague, Abdi Guliye, was also conferred with the same award that had 35 Kenyans.

IEBC chair, Wafula Chebukati with President William Ruto during a past event. /TWITTER

IEBC Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan and Chrispine Owiye-Director Legal were also honoured by the Head of State.

Notably, the four commissioners currently under investigation by a tribunal; Juliana Cherera (Vice Chairperson), Irene Masit, Justus Nyangaya and Francis Wanderi were left out.

Justice Aggrey Mucheule, who is currently leading the tribunal investigating the four commissioners, was conferred with the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) award.

An NTV report on Friday, December 9 revealed that Chebukati was summoned by the tribunal to testify against the four commissioners.

He will be expected to give an account of the events that transpired during the August 9 general elections and the events that surrounded the preparation of the presidential election results.

Cherera alongside Justus Nyang'aya, Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi are accused of almost subverting the will of the people in the elections that saw William Ruto declared Kenya's fifth president, beating Azimio la Umoja coalition leader, Raila Odinga.

They were also accused of vouching for the results to be altered so that a run-off could ensue, in the Presidential petition filed at the Supreme Court.

"CEO Hussein Marjan walked into the boardroom with the final results and handed over a copy to each Commissioner. A debate ensued. Four Commissioners, Cherera, Nyang'aya, Masit and Wanderi, protested and insisted that the results should be changed in light of the National Security Council (NSAC) delegation's communication.

"Cherera suggested that the margin is not too big and could be manipulated by moving 233,211 votes from Ruto to the rejected ballots category. When my turn to speak came, I told the Commissioners that I would not be a party to a scheme to sabotage the will of the people," Guliye stated in his affidavit before the Supreme Court.

IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati and Vice-chair Juliana Cherera. /FILE

Cherera, Nyang'aya and Wanderi had resigned from the commission after President Ruto suspended them. However, they will still have to be investigated, as Judge Mucheule had announced.

Other awardees

The 12 others honoured alongside Chebukati are Governors Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo), Wilber Otichilo (Vihiga) and Julius Malombe (Kitui). 

Others are Nathif Jama (Garissa), Stephen Sang’ (Nandi), Hillary Barchok (Bomet), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), Issa Timamy (Lamu) and former Mandera Governor and current area Senator Ali Roba.

The highest to be decorated was First Class: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (CGH) His Holiness Dr Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin. Dr Saifuddin is the spiritual leader and 53rd Da'i al-Mutlaq of one million Dawoodi Bohras, a subgroup of the Tayyibi, Mustaali, Ismaili Shia branches of Islam.

Ruto decorated National Assembly Majority and Minority Leaders Kimani Ichung'wah and Opiyo Wandayi with Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart (MGH) alongside National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, Senate Deputy Speaker Murungi Kathuri and Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot.

The President also awarded Moran of the Order of the Golden Heart to Lt Gen Kiprop Kendagor, Lt Gen Peter Njiru Mbogo, Lt Gen Jonah Mwangi and Maj Gen John Omenda. Those decorated with Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), were National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, Majority Chief Whip Silvanus Osoro, Budgets Committee Chair and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Marsabit Women Representative Naomi Waqo and Minority Deputy Leader Robert Mbui. 

The Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) also went to Kenyan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Manoah Esipisu, Mwende Mwinzi (South Korea) and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi's private secretary Kibisu Kabetesi.

Ruto also awarded Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS), to lawyer Taib Ali Taib, Moi University Vice Chancellor Kosgey Isaac, Dr Komora Amani Yuda and Col Charles Oduor, Col Joel Cherutich, Col Pascal Kitiro, Col Guleid Imano Karu, Col Emmanuel Ptiony Lotu, Col Patrick Kathingo, Col Stephen Melanyi, Col Peter Korir and Col Paul Aruasa.

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