It's shameful what you did to Musyoka, Chebukati to IEBC official's killers

Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati. [File, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has termed Daniel Musyoka's murder a shameful act.

Musyoka, who was the Returning Officer for Embakasi East Constituency in Nairobi County, went missing on August 11, and was found dead in Kajiado South on August 15.

On Friday, August 26, Chebukati led IEBC staff members in paying their last respects to the deceased.

Musyoka, 53, was strangled in unclear circumstances, with police investigating the possible motive for his killing.

"Musyoka's murder undermines humanity and self-esteem. It's wrong to kill someone. It's a shameful act and it must end," Chebukati said during his speech on Friday at Musyoka's home in Muuani Village, Mwala Constituency in Machakos County.

"Elections are not, and should not be a matter of life and death. This particularly goes out to our leaders," he said.

The IEBC boss asked the Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, DCI chief George Kinoti and the Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji to expedite investigations into Musyoka's murder and arraign his killers.

IEBC commissioners Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu and Chief Executive Officer Marjan Hussein Marjan accompanied Chebukati to the burial.

Chebukati described Musyoka as a "competent, professional and pleasant" man who was committed to free and fair elections.

The IEBC boss reiterated his past remarks that the IEBC staff members were being subjected to intimidation, harassment and even torture by people bent on manipulating the electoral process.

"IEBC staff members have been subjected to physical assaults, threats, intimidation and unlawful arrests which are akin to abductions," he said.

Daniel Musyoka served as an IEBC official for 12 years, starting 2010.

At the time, he was appointed the election coordinator for Kilome Constituency in Makueni County.

He was later, between 2013 and 2015, transferred to North Horr Constituency in Marsabit County.

In 2017, he was moved to Kajiado County before being transferred to Nairobi County ahead of the August 9, 2022 General Election.