Ruto: "There was direct attempt to abduct, murder Wafula Chebukati"

President William Ruto on Tuesday, January 17 alleged that outgoing IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati and other commissioners were offered money to overturn the results of the August 9 2022 Presidential Election.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with members of Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices at State House Nairobi, President Ruto said that there was a a section of political players who were hell-bent to subvert the will of Kenyans, and would stop at nothing.

"We now know that Chairman Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Abdi Yakub Guliye & Boya Molu as well as the CEO, Hussein Marjan, and their staff, were offered stupendous financial rewards to cooperate with the agents of impunity, but they bravely resisted."

"We also know that they were subsequently threatened with dire consequences for them and their families if they did not do the ‘system’s bidding and overturn the choice of Kenyans. Again, we know that they stood strong and firmly said “NO!," Ruto said.

The Head of State took time off his speech to praise Chebukati for his "brave" leadership skills and for upholding integrity, adding that he has set a good example for the incoming commission.

"Through Wafula Chebukati, we have seen what integrity looks like at work. We have witnessed him lead an organization in learning from its mistakes and do better each succeeding time. We have seen him refine the art and science of delivering elections.

"Chebukati’s experience and fine example bring home in graphic detail the implicit admonition of the constitution. Commissions and independent offices are the auditors of the auditors; they watch over the watchmen," Ruto added.

'Attempt to abduct, murder Chebukati'

The President went on to add that after refusing to fall for the corrupt hands, there was an attempt to abduct Chebukati and kill him.

"We also know that there was a direct attempt to abduct Wafula Chebukati and murder him so that the commission would be paralyzed, or a compliant commissioner takes over and subvert the people’s sovereignty."

Chebukati exits the commission alongside commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu following the lapse of their tenure on January 17th.