The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has responded to a letter summoning Deputy President, William Ruto, to appear before its Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee.
According to the letter making rounds on social media on Saturday, March 12, the DP was directed to appear before the Commission on Monday, March 15, over remarks he made alleging a plan to rig the elections while on a tour of the US.
However, in its response, the electoral body flagged the letter dated March 11 as fake.
The fake letter emerged even as the Commission's chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, revealed that the IEBC took seriously the remarks by the DP and that investigations were underway.
At the time, however, Chebukati did not indicate whether they would summon the DP to appear before the committee as they did with Murang'a Woman Representative, Sabina Chege.
"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," he stated then.
Consequently, leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja faction, demanded that Chebukati summons the DP to explain his sentiments. Suna East legislator, Junet Mohamed, expressed that it would be unfair if the second-in-command was not investigated.
While addressing Bishops during his US tour, the DP expressed fears that there were plans to manipulate the election in favour of other leaders.
However, at the function, Ruto did not provide evidence to ascertain his claims.
While speaking to Nation on March 2, the Director of Communication at the DP's Office, Emmanuel Tallam, stated that Ruto would cooperate with IEBC if he was summoned by the commission.
“The DP is ready to cooperate with IEBC to ensure the August 9 General Election results are not compromised,” he stated.
