Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati, has dismissed a report claiming that he is a poor public communicator.
Speaking to the media in Nairobi, Chebukati defended his oration and termed the report, released on January 6, as false and doctored.
Chebukati urged the public to disregard the report dubbed Best Communicators 2021, and argued that his communication skills were excellent.
"Today, I am releasing a detailed statement on the IEBC preparedness for the August 9 General Election and I would like to ask the members of the media present here today, whether I am communicating or not,” he stated.
He further lamented that the publishers of the report did not do due diligence before releasing it.
"I looked at the report and my conclusion was that the report was compiled by two individuals, who did not carry out any survey.
"I neither think Kenyans were consulted. The authors of the report might have been driven by personal opinions. I still cannot understand what drove them to draft such a misleading and alarming report," Chebukati bemoaned.
The findings of an analysis by Paul Achar, an executive communication coach and Dr Sam Kamau, a communications scholar and lecturer at Aga Khan University ranked experts from different fields in Kenya.
Dr Loice Achieng Ombajo (physician), Dr Rose Mutiso (researcher), Justice Joel Ngugi (Judiciary) Dr Mercy Mwangangi (Health CAS) and Gen Robert Kibochi (Chief of Defence Forces), were ranked among the best public speakers in 2021.
Chebukati, Education Cabinet Secretary, George Magoha, James Nga’ng’a and ousted Footbal Kenya Federation boss, Nick Mwendwa were among those listed as poor public speakers.
The IEBC, National Police Service, Judicial Service Commission were labeled as institutions that are poor communicators.
"Chebukati has been in office for more than five years but does not seem to have grown communications skills.
"Education CS, Magoha, communication approach is often combative. Unfortunately, this kind of communication is rarely effective. The CS would be better served by taking a more persuasive and consultative approach," the report read in part.
