Raila meets Chebukati in surprise meeting at IEBC, State House worried

 On October 19, 2017, on the eve of Mashujaa Day, Raila Odinga held a 40-minute meeting with the chairman of the IEBC, Wafula Chebukati. Surprisingly, mainstream media was slow to report this significant development. While less critical stories dominated headlines, this major political event seemed to be sidelined or absent altogether. At such a critical political moment, wouldn’t you agree that such a meeting deserved more attention?

The meeting raised several questions: What did they discuss? What prompted the meeting? Importantly, this was not the previously scheduled meeting between Raila and Chebukati announced earlier. That meeting, planned for 2 p.m., was abruptly canceled by Chebukati without explanation.

Analyzing Chebukati’s Actions

During a press conference at Bomas the previous day, Chebukati had called for an urgent meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga. However, the cancellation of this meeting highlights the precarious position Chebukati finds himself in as he tries to assert control over the IEBC. Recent resignations within the commission, including that of Roselyn Akombe from New York, have exposed internal divisions and intensified public scrutiny.

Chebukati’s press conference and subsequent actions reflect his efforts to regain authority within the commission. However, it is clear he is under significant pressure from forces aligned with one political side. Some commissioners have allegedly prioritized partisan interests over impartiality, undermining the IEBC’s credibility.

One notable example of the commission's challenges is its controversial petition to the Supreme Court seeking clarification on the chairman’s role in verifying election results. The court firmly ruled against any alterations to results declared at polling stations, emphasizing the constitutional principle that elections are decided at the polling station. This provision was introduced to prevent the kind of manipulation and chaos witnessed during the 2007-2008 post-election violence.

Chebukati’s press conference was likely an attempt to restore confidence in the IEBC, but reactions were telling. Jubilee quickly dismissed the call for dialogue, with President Kenyatta and his deputy outright rejecting the proposal. Their refusal to engage with the IEBC chairman further underscores the polarized political climate.

The Raila-Chebukati Meeting

The morning meeting between Raila Odinga and Chebukati remains shrouded in mystery. While Raila described it as "productive," no detailed information was shared. High on NASA’s agenda, however, is the inclusion of Raila’s name on the ballot despite his withdrawal from the race. Raila expressed shock at the IEBC’s insistence on printing ballots with his name, calling it nonsensical and unconstitutional. Chebukati promised to respond to NASA’s concerns after consulting with Jubilee on Monday.

Jubilee’s Contradictory Stance

Jubilee’s behavior during this period has been contradictory. On one hand, they call for prayers and humility, yet on the other, they issue aggressive statements rejecting dialogue with the IEBC. Such actions raise doubts about their commitment to resolving the political crisis and ensuring credible elections.

What Lies Ahead?

As Chebukati struggles to assert his authority, the likelihood of him stepping aside or refusing to oversee the October 26 election grows. While he appears determined to deliver a credible election, it remains uncertain whether the political forces surrounding him will allow it. This raises serious questions about the viability of the scheduled election and the potential for further turmoil.

Despite Jubilee’s confident public assertions that elections will proceed as planned, the reality on the ground paints a different picture. Increased police deployments and rising tensions suggest that chaos and violence may be more likely outcomes than peaceful elections. As the day approaches, Kenyans must brace for an uncertain and potentially volatile future.