Deputy President William Ruto’s legal team, led by Prof Kithure Kindiki, has stated that events at Bomas of Kenya on August 15 forced IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati to declare William Ruto as President-elect in a rush.
He opined that even if the Chebukati utilised the extra day that was remaining, nothing much would have changed as four other commissioners had dissented the results.
Further, Kindiki explained that the chaos that erupted prior to the announcement by Chebukati played a part in the rush to announce the results.
“The results could not be announced the following day because, by that time, there was no time for consensus among the commissioners as the four had walked out.
A collage of police quelling riots at Bomas of Kenya in August 2022 (left) and IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati (right)
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“Commissioners were injured and Chebukati had to make the announcement,” he stated.
Ruto’s legal team had been asked to explain whether it was right for Chebukati to announce the president-elect in a rush.
Justice Isaac Lenaola had inquired why the Commission chairperson was adamant to announce the President-elect on August 15 despite a 24-hour window.
In regard to the motive of four National Security Advisory Council (NSAC) officials who visited Chebukati hours before the results were announced, Kindiki stated that their belief was that the high-ranking government officials wanted Chebukati to alter the results.
He alleged that the team of four from the security council knew the outcome of the polls at the time they visited the commissioners at Bomas.
“All factors point to the conclusion that the four, by the time went to Bomas, they knew the results. By the morning of August 1, letters had been issued to the candidates to be at Bomas for the declaration.
“Ruto received that letter early that day. The four went there for no other reason than to alter the results that had been verified,” he stated
Finally, in response to the question raised over the significance of the dissenting four commissioners on the declaration, Kindiki was of the view that their actions were inconsequential as it did Kenyans had already decided on their leaders.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and Vice Chair Juliana Cherera at Bomas of Kenya meeting party candidates on August 22, 2022
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He posed whether the decision of the four can be able to overturn the decision of millions of Kenyans.
“Can the walking away of the commissioners be the veto to overturn the will of the people?” he queried.
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