Chebukati Proposes Hefty Penalties For Actions On Cherera 4
Former chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Wafula Chebukati, has put forth a range of reform proposals to address divisions within the electoral body and allegations of official intimidation.
On November 20, 2023, during a presentation at the 2023 ECONEC Symposium in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, Chebukati advocated for the implementation of stringent legislation that would penalize election officials who attempt to manipulate election results.
He identified political and executive interference among commissioners as a significant obstacle observed in the August 2022 elections.
The former chairman referred to the division within the Commission, wherein a faction of former commissioners, led by Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi, Juliana Cherera, and Irene Masit, opposed the outcomes that proclaimed President William Ruto the victor.
The accused refuted Chebukati’s allegation that the Cherera Four advocated for the moderation of the results to compel a runoff.
“The Commission should be left to do its work. All other agencies should merely support and not run the election.
“Enact stringent laws and impose hefty penalties and other serious punishment for members of the commission inclined to change the will of the people expressed on the ballot,” Chebukati stated.
Conversely, the former head of IEBC voiced apprehension regarding the escalating pattern in which officials of the Commission, including commissioners, were threatened with murder while carrying out their duties.
ALSO READ:
Waiguru Lands International Role
As a result, he put forth a three-pronged strategy to tackle such occurrences, which encompassed the collaboration of non-state and state agencies in overseeing the security of election officials.
Additionally, Chebukati remarked that the Executive branch must be held accountable for any interference with election management.
“Organise national conferences to solicit for peaceful elections and respect to staff,” he added
Several election officials have passed away in mysterious circumstances since the 2017 elections. Among them were Daniel Musyoka (2022), a former Embakasi East Returning Officer, and Chris Msando (2017), both of whom were former IEBC ICT heads.
Significantly, on January 17, President William Ruto made an allegation regarding potential attempts to kidnap and murder Chebukati.
To date, neither an inquest nor the organizers of the alleged conspiracy have been identified in connection with his accusations.
Chebukati Proposes Hefty Penalties For Actions On Cherera 4
