NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 17 — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula has warned failure to prosecute hooligans who masterminded the Bomas fiasco in last year’s presidential election could embolden merchant of chaos.
Wetangula explained that the scenes preceding the announcement of the outcome of the August 9 presidential election unfolded in full glare of the CCTV cameras even as he noted with regret that the perpetrators are yet to face the law.
“What is surprising is that all those goons who caused mayhem caught in CCTV camera, none has been brought to justice. It’s not the best way to fight impunity,” Wetangula said on Tuesday.
The National Assembly Speaker termed Chebukati a hero who mastered courage to face head on intimidation and threats from different quarters hours before results announcement.
“I walked into your office after the chaos and I saw Prof Guliye crying with both his legs bleeding having been viciously physically assaulted on the podium,” he recalled.
While showering Chebukati heaps of praise, Wetangula said behind his demeanor of “an old Russian spy” lies an admirable courage that safeguarded the will of the people.
“Nobody will take it for granted, nobody will take it away from you and nobody will forget because you did what many people could not do,” Wetangula said during a State House event that brought together members of independent commissions.
In the face of adversity, Wetangula told commissioners and chairpersons of independent offices to borrow a leaf from the conduct of the outgoing IEBC boss.
“I want to encourage you Chebukati that you have now set the bar very high for Kenyans who have been called to serve,” Wetangula stated.
Chebukati’s exit
Chebukati was set to exit office on Tuesday having served as IEBC Chairperson since January 18, 2017.
With the six-year term for Chebukati, commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye ending Tuesday, they will go down in history as commissioners who have concluded their constitutional term.
Chebukati, while submitting IEBC exit report to President Kenyatta, reiterated that his team has paved the way for a strong independent body. He handed over his report during a function held at State House, Nairobi.
“We ran a free, fair and transparent election and as a commission we have put in place structures which the incoming team should build on,” he said.
Chebukati affirmed that he conducted a free and fair poll despite the push by Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Leader Raila Odinga to have him prosecuted and jailed.
Discussion about this post