On Wednesday, August 24, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga sustained his onslaught against IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party flag bearer, who was speaking in Mombasa, said the commission’s chairperson should not oversee the postponed elections in Mombasa and Kakamega counties.
In his hard-hitting criticism directed at Chebukati, Raila without providing evidence stated that the IEBC boss had compromised to declare William Ruto president-elect hence he is unfit to hold that office.
But in a statement on Thursday, August 25, political analyst Edward Kisiang’ani rubbished Raila’s claims terming them unacceptable and unbecoming.
kisiang’ani said Raila’s claims are not only misleading but also aimed at plunging the country into post-election violence similar to that witnessed after the 2007/08 General Election.
“This man Raila wants to plunge our country into chaos. His demands are unacceptable. He should be called out for this. With the system on his side, Raila still lost the elections. What else does he want? Cherera?” Kisiang’ani posed.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had earlier defended Chebukati from Raila’s charge that he should not oversee Monday’s elections.
While terming Raila’s statement as misleading, the Commission, in a statement, said Chebukati would not be directly in charge of the Kakamega and Mombasa governor elections.
“The commission wishes to inform the public that the statements made today by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga with regard to the role of the chairman in the two gubernatorial elections scheduled for Monday 29th August 2022 are misleading,
“Gubernatorial elections are run by gazette returning officers as provided for by the law. For the avoidance of doubt, returning officers for Mombasa and Kakamega counties are Ibrahim Swalleh Yusuf and Joseph Ayatta respectively,” said the agency in its statement.
