Outgoing Commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Prof. Abdi Guliye on Monday recalled the many times they had difficult times, including the recent one witnessed at the Bomas of Kenya following the August 2022 elections.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday Guliye stated that his 6-year tenure at the helm of the electoral body has been of trials and tribulations.
“It has been 6 years of trials and tribulations. We recall the clean-slate slogan in the BBI meaning the entire IEBC commission but it didn’t come to pass. We recall the Bomas drama, some objects were flying left right centre and objects even injured us,” he said.
“We even had personal tragedies, some of us had miserable tragedies inflicted on us, our families, and children but we surmounted all those trials and tribulations through courage, dedication and devotion to God.”
He even revealed how they went to a hideout after IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati announced the highly contested presidential results, saying they were even forced to leave their phones at Bomas.
“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.
However, Guliye stated that he is leaving the commission satisfied with the contributions he made during his tenure.
“We upheld our oath of office and the rule of law at all times. As I leave office I am satisfied that I did my best for my country and my people,” he noted during the launch of the Post Election Evaluation Report for the August 2022 Election.
“I leave IEBC stronger and better than I found it. And as I leave I have no apologies to make to anybody. I simply did my work in accordance with my oath of office that I took in 2017 and it is inevitable we have to be replaced.”
Mr. Guliye thanked Kenyans for giving him the opportunity to serve as a commissioner and wished 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.
“I thank the people of Kenya for the opportunity to serve them.”
Guliye leaves the commission with Chairman Chebukati and Commissioner Boya Molu, whose terms have expired. A term on the commission lasts six years.
