I’ve no regrets over IEBC job, Chebukati
Chebukati says has no regrets over the IEBC job insisting that he has made significant contributions to strengthen the commission
Chebukati says has no regrets over the IEBC job insisting that he has made significant contributions to strengthen the commission.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has stated that he has no regrets over his six years in charge.
Chebukati was appointed the chair of the IEBC in January 18, 2017.
During a meeting with the Political Parties, Liaison Committee at Kenya Utalii College in Nairobi, Wafula Chebukati – whose term expires on January 17 – said he made significant contributions to strengthening the IEBC.
Despite the August 9 presidential election leading to a split in the IEBC – the division pitting the old commissioners against new ones – Mr. Chebukati said the vote was a success.
He leaves the agency with Prof Abdi Guliye and Mr. Boya Molu, two of the surviving commissioners appointed in 2017.
The IEBC chair has urged his successor to leverage on the reforms he initiated and implemented at the commission “to ensure the IEBC continues being independent”.
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“I have no regrets. I made my contribution in strengthening the commission. The person taking over should build on the reforms,” the outgoing IEBC chairman said.
“We went through many challenges in 2022 but the election was a success. We should build on success stories.”
However, the IEBC chairman stated that three areas require improvement for secure elections.
He mentioned legal changes, particularly those pertaining to election administration legislation, technological advancements in results transmission, and increased finance.
“The government should ensure that the disbursement of funds to the commission is early enough to enable the IEBC to make early preparations and not in the last year to the election like what happened in 2022,” Mr. Chebukati said.
In order to solve the issue of disgruntled politicians deciding to run as independents, he challenged political parties to have free, fair, and credible primaries and to adhere to their rules and nomination lists.
According to Chebukati, the August General Election – “which was very peaceful” – demonstrated that democracy in Kenya has come of age.
He added that the post-election evaluation report the commission is preparing will be made public in January.
The report, Chebukati said, would guide policy direction and plan for future elections.
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