Inside Our Three Days of Hiding After Bomas Chaos: Chebukati

Outgoing Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati on Monday, January 16, revealed intricate details of the aftermath of the chaos at Bomas of Kenya, minutes after the results of the presidential election were announced.

Speaking during the launch of the Post Election Evaluation Report, Chebukati affirmed that his commissioners went into hiding, prompting him to leave the premises and return to his house.

He noted that for three days, he was on edge- waiting to see if anybody paid him a visit. While breathing a heavy sigh of relief, he affirmed that nobody came to his house.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati releasing the presidential election results at Bomas of Kenya on August 15, 2022

KENYANS.CO.KE

"They call us three musketeers. So, they (commissioners) went into 'Siberia' but they are not telling you where I was. I was in my house, taking my cups of tea and waiting to see if anybody came to the door. Of course, nobody came," Chebukati noted.

While making his final remarks, commissioner Abdi Guliye painted a picture of the scene after the Bomas chaos which prompted them to drop their security detail and travel to an unknown.

He affirmed that they were forced to switch off their phones and leave them in Bomas- in fear of being tracked.

"After the Bomas announcement of the results, I recall going into "Siberia" in my own country together with commissioner Boya Molu and CEO Hussein Marjan.

"We went into hiding, had to put off our phones, leave them in Bomas, send away our security and we rode in a Toyota Noah to an unknown location. Our only contact with Kenya or the world was the TV, just to check whether you were killing each other or you were celebrating," Guliye stated.

He, however, expressed relief after affirming that Kenyans had maintained peace throughout the period.

"After three days of hiding, we realised Kenya had moved on. We stated that we can no longer hide."

While reflecting on his six-year tenure, he pointed out that he had done his work in accordance with his oath of office and did not have any apologies to make to his naysayers.

"I did my best for my country and my people. I leave IEBC stronger and better than I found it. I have no apologies to make to anybody. I simply did my work in accordance with the oath of office that I took in January 2017," Guliye stated.

The commissioner also gave a word of advice to those tasked with the selection of new commissioners to choose wisely.

"My word of advice to those who will be bearing the responsibility of replacing us with other Kenyans is that it is not for the faint of heart. Please choose commissioners wisely," he concluded.

IEBC commissioner Abdi Guliye (left) addresses the media, alongside chairperson, Wafula Chebukati during the launch of the Post Election Evaluation Report on January 16, 2023