One of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners has revealed how he went to hide in ‘Siberia’ to escape the wrath of the deep state under the leadership of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking during the launch of the post-election evaluation report for the 9 August 2022 General Election at Safari Park Hotel, Nairobi, on Monday, Commissioner Prof Yakub Guliye said he went to hide in Siberia when temperatures rose at the national tallying center, Bomas of Kenya.
“After the Bomas announcement of the results, I recall going into Syberia in my own country together with commissioner Molu and CEO Marjan. We went into hiding, we left our phones at Bomas, sent away our security and we road in a Noah to an unknown location,” he said.
Mr. Guliye thanked Kenyans for trusting him with the opportunity to serve in his capacity, further wishing the incoming commissioners the best.
“My word of advice to those who will be bearing the responsibility of replacing us with other Kenyans is that the IEBC office as commissioners is not for the faint-hearted. Please choose commissioners wisely,” he said.
on the other end, IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati said the 2022 poll witnessed the highest number of attempts to undermine the agency’s independence and usurp its powers.
He cited intimidation by the state’s security organs, lobbying on behalf of the government by the National Security Advisory Committee (NSAC), disinformation campaigns, and the murder of a returning officer as some of the incidents highlighting the growing number of attacks against IEBC.
“The Commission wrote to the President (Dr Ruto) to form a public inquiry with respect to the process leading to the declaration of the final results for the presidential
election 2022. The gravity of these attempts to subvert the will of the people cannot be wished away or swept under the carpet,” he said.
The outcome of the inquiry, he reckons, will bolster the independence of IEBC and ensure that it maintains its stature as outlined by the Constitution.
“It will also enable a future electoral environment devoid of harassment, intimidation, profiling and harm of commission staff while discharging their duties,” he added.
Mr Chebukati exits the commission tomorrow alongside two other commissioners: Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu.
