The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has launched an investigation on Deputy President William Ruto, who claimed that there were plans to manipulate the results of the August 9 polls.
Ruto while speaking in the US, claimed that Kenya's democracy was on the line and that he was a victim of threats, blackmail, and intimidation.
Speaking during a meeting with the Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) and Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ), IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati noted that the commission would probe the remarks made by the country's Second in Command.
"As a commission, all aspirants are bound by the Elections Code of Conduct and we shall look at his statement and investigate after which we shall give a report. The investigations team will tell us how long that will be but we are aware that time s of the essence," the IEBC chair stated.
Chebukati further dismissed the DPs allegations stating that the agency will conduct a free and fair election as stipulated by the Constitution.
"IEBC is fully prepared for the elections and the purpose of signing the MoU today is to ensure transparency, especially in the area of the announcing of the results. I am very sure that the chances of rigging elections this year are almost nil," he reiterated.
His declaration came a few days after the commission was pressured to summon the DP like they invited Murang'a County Woman Representative, Sabina Chege to clarify her election malpractice claims.
Chege, during an Azimio la Umoja rally on February 10, alleged that the Jubilee government rigged previous elections and would probably rig in Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader, Raila Odinga.
On February 15, the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee escalated Chege's case to a full hearing.
However, the outspoken MP moved to court to challenge the ruling. In the petition filed at the High Court in Nairobi, she asked the court to block the electoral body from proceeding with the hearing and further inquiry into the matter.
Chege argued the commission summoned her in bad faith in attempts to block her from contesting in the upcoming elections.
Meanwhile, a statement by Ruto's campaign secretariat on March 3, indicated that the US Assistant Secretary of State, Molly Phee assured that her country would monitor the 2022 polls.
"The US government has assured that Kenya can count on its voice in safeguarding democracy and advocating a free and fair election in August 2022. US Assistant Secretary of State for Africa, Molly Phee made the assurance today as she hosted Deputy President William Ruto at the State Department in Washington DC," the press release read in part.
