Azimio Executive Director, Raphael Tuju, on Sunday, August 28, explained what transpired during the night meeting he held with Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati and six other commissioners at the Bomas of Kenya.
In a press briefing on Sunday, August 18, Tuju stated that Chebukati conveniently left out intricate details of the meeting.
He highlighted that his main agenda was to convey pressing issues after one of the IEBC commissioners intimated to him a situation whereby Forms 34A were being replaced at a secret location.
Tuju noted that he took the matter to commissioner Abdi Guliye who directed him to the National Returning Officer (NRO). After several attempts to get hold of Chebukati, Tuju claimed that he managed to have a sit-down with the chairperson on a particular night.
"My attention has been drawn to the affidavit of Chebukati and Guliye in respect to the proceedings which took place at the Bomas of Kenya.
"I'm drawn to the Supreme Court case which is ongoing. I would like to admit that I was at Bomas of Kenya on several occasions. For the 3am meeting, I'd like to correct them a little bit because it seems they have selective amnesia. It was at 4am. I did try, on several occasions, to get an audience with IEBC commissioners and in particular Chebukati. This is because Guliye wasn't able to handle the concerns I had raised with him," stated the Azimio Executive Director.
"One of the IEBC commissioners informed me that some of the Forms 34A were being brought down and were being replaced by other Forms 34A. He was not able to know the exact location from which it was happening. I reported (the matter) to the DCI who dispatched officers to discuss with the commissioner.
"One of the seniors confirmed to me that they had received the reports and there was nothing they could do unless I talked to Chebukati," he added.
The Azimio Executive Director further revealed that after getting an audience with the commissioners, he only presented the pressing issues that he had brought forth, contrary to Chebukati's affidavit which alleged that Tuju had beseeched him to either declare Azimio's Raila Odinga as the president-elect or force a run-off.
"I had concerns because he was closed in that room with Boya Molu and Hussein Marjan and, therefore, it was obvious that something opaque was happening. I worked my way in and found him with the two other officials. I brought up the matter and he informed me that he was busy with the Returning Officers and told him to see him later. I came back at 8pm, 12am, and 2am where he was sleeping.
"I agreed with the people there that let him have some sleep as he had not rested over a couple of days. I waited until 4.00am. I drew the attention to Amos Wako and a few personal friends, that we should go and confront him," he stated.
The former CS did not, however, go deep into the discussions of the meeting, stating that the matter is in court. Tuju also demanded Chebukati to make public another meeting they held together at a secret location in Karen.
"For the Chairperson to claim that I made some offers to him is a petty lie. I want Chebukati to explain to Kenyans when he came to a secret location to meet with me and what that discussion was about."
Tuju also questioned the purpose of the meeting between Chebukati and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials minutes after they left the office.
"As we left the room, UDA officials, outgoing Turkana governor, Josphat Nanok, and the party's Secretary General, Veronica Maina, were at the door waiting for us to leave so they could get in.
"Just as he wants to tell Kenyans about the discussions, he should be honest to reveal what he discussed with Nanok and Maina," he pointed out.
