Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has opened up on the mistake he believes Kenyans make about him.
Chebukati, who has become a household name for the past one year, believes that Kenyans misunderstand him while others take him for a weak leader.
This talk was particularly live during the hotly contested presidential election where some thought he was too calm to handle the situation.
In several interviews after her resignation, former Commissioner Roselyn Akombe divulged that had the Chairman been firm, the country would not have experienced the heightened political tensions.
Chebukati was also blamed by a section which claimed he had lost control of the commission following allegations that the electoral body was divided.
[caption caption="Former IEBC Commissioner Roselyn Akombe with Chebukati"][/caption]
According to Akombe, the IEBC boss was an able leader but did not have the required support in the Commission which was inhibiting him from solving the crisis that faced the country.
“Chairman Chebukati is a very well-meaning person. He has the temperament to be a leader but he is a leader who is under siege,” Akombe stated.
In his defence, he accused the politicians of making him a punching bag especially during their political rallies.
“I have watched as people seeking a punching bag found a very good one in me.
“I find it interesting that while some say how weak a chairman I am, those in IEBC say, ‘this chairman is too principled and cannot be influenced',” he noted as reported by the Nation.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati"][/caption]
Since the release of the October 26 presidential results, Chebukati has been away from the media contrary to what was the norm in the run-up to the elections.