A commissioner of the Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) opened up on the various challenges that he had encountered during his five-year stint.
Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, on Wednesday, July 7, Prof Abdi Guliye revealed that due to the nature of his job, he has lost touch with some of his friends who are active in politics.
He claimed that his previous networks have been used against him by his detractors, citing prejudice in his line of work.
“If I knew what I was entering into, I would not have applied for the job. The first day a commissioner enters office, you are profiled to unearth your background and his past political affiliations which are then used against you.
"I have also lost my friends, I lost touch with some of the politicians who were my friends since I cannot meet them,” remarked Guliye.
Highlighting safety concerns, he pointed out that Kenyan politics is at times taken to a level of life and death, putting the lives of IEBC staff in danger.
“My safety is also threatened since Kenyan politics are cutthroat politics, it’s a do-or-die politics and being the referee, your name is tarnished and accusations levelled against you,” the commissioner added.
However, he vowed to remain steadfast in delivering on the commission's mandate to give Kenyans an opportunity to freely elect their preferred leaders in the August polls.
“Nevertheless, the job has to be done. We have to remain upbeat and ensure that Kenyans get an opportunity to elect leaders of their choice,” he remarked.
Commissioner Guliye is part of the seven commissioners running operations at the Anniversary Towers-based electoral agency, led by chairman Wafula Chebukati.
He was appointed to serve as a commissioner back in 2017. The PhD holder in Animal Nutrition is among the remnants of the commission which led Kenya into the 2017 General Election. Four of the commissioners resigned under unclear circumstances, leaving the crucial body in the hands of four individuals.
Those who quit included former commissioners Consolata Nkatha, Margaret Wanjala, Roselyn Akombe and Paul Kibiwott.
Guliye and his team are burning the midnight oil to deliver a free and fair election despite the pressure from political actors.
