Wanjigi Urges Ruto To Act After Claiming Plot To Kill Chebukati

Former presidential candidate Jimi Wanjigi has called upon President William Ruto to act on perpetrators after he alleged a plot to kidnap and assassinate the outgoing chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati.

In a statement on Tuesday, January 17, Wanjigi urged Ruto's administration to quit talking and move to bring the perpetrators to book by immediately launching a Commission of Inquiry into the August presidential election after the chaotic events at Bomas of Kenya during the announcement of the results, as he had promised.

He added that the words served no meaning and that the only way he can be taken seriously by Kenyans is by taking action.

"The Ruto Government should take action on the serious crimes alleged in the Bomas of Kenya. In the executive, his actions carry weight; they speak far louder than any words could do on their own. What he said today was largely meaningless unless he is, in fact, prepared to back it up by taking steps on the following alleged capital offences:

"Attempted bribery of IEBC officials, threat to the life of IEBC officials and family members and attempted murder of Chebukati. Enough talk, let's see action now!" he stated.

On his part, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna however expressed concern regarding the claims which he viewed as weighty and wondered if he would support his claims with solid proof when the official probe into the events leading up to the August 15, 2022 announcement is launched.

"Very grave allegations being made regarding what happened at Bomas in the lead up to the announcement of the Presidential result. I'm hoping the people making them will appear before the yet-to-be-formed commission of inquiry and provide the evidence backing these allegations," he wrote.

Ruto was speaking on Tuesday, January 17 during the meeting with independent commissions and constitutional offices at State House in Nairobi when he made the comments.

"We know that there was a direct attempt to abduct Wafula Chebukati and murder him so that the commission would be paralysed, or a compliant commissioner takes over and subvert the people’s sovereignty.

"We also know that they were subsequently threatened with dire consequences for them and their families if they did not do the ‘system’s bidding and overturn the choice of Kenyans. Again, we know that they stood strong and firmly said no," he stated.

He also alleged that the trio were bribed to cooperate with the agents of state capture who wanted him to change the outcome of the elections to satisfy their own interests.

"We now know that Chairman Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Abdi Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu as well as the CEO, Hussein Marjan, and their staff, were offered stupendous financial rewards to cooperate with the agents of impunity, but they bravely resisted," Ruto stated.

Chebukati, Guliye and Molu's six-year term in office came to an end on January 17, 2023. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua assured the trio of security by the government even after they retire.

During the meeting, Chebukati presented Ruto with the Office of Chairman Exit Report which will be reviewed by the Executive, and handed over to the incoming chairperson of the IEBC. 

The succeeding chairperson will then use the report to review past electoral processes in order for the new body to establish systems and structures that will work for the country.