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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) says the Supreme Court judgment is a testimony that the electoral process was free and fair.
While welcoming the verdict on Monday, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chabukati said the Commission had finally been vindicated on claims of overseeing a bungled election.
"The Supreme Court judgment today, is a testimony that the commission conducted a free, fair, transparent and credible general election that met the democratic aspirations of the people of Kenya," said Chebukati in his address at IEBC's Anniversary Towers offices in Nairobi.
Chebukati, on August 15, 2022, announced that William Ruto of UDA Party won the election after garnering 7.18 million votes (50.49 per cent) followed by Raila Odinga of Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya, who got 6.94 million (48.85 per cent)
Odinga, who was Ruto's main challenger in the polls, led a consolidated petition that sought to overturn Ruto's victory, alleging electoral malpractice by IEBC.
However, on Monday, September 5, the apex court unanimously upheld the outcome of the presidential election that led to Ruto's win.
Chebukati now says that the commission had been testing its systems over the last five years to deliver a transparent election.
"The Commission reiterates that election is a process and not an event. This process started immediately after the 2017 General Election and the Commission tested its systems and processes in over 40 by-elections in the last five years," added Chebukati.
The polls agency boss also decried the mistreatment of some IEBC officials that was witnessed during the electoral period.
He noted that some IEBC staff had endured harassment, intimidation, abduction, arrests and some lost their lives in the process.
Notably, he mentioned IEBC Returning Officer Daniel Musyoka who was abducted and tortured to death while in the line of duty.
"To date, no one has been arrested for these crimes committed against members of the Commission and its staff. As it stands, no human rights and civil society organisation have condemned these heinous acts meted [out] on the Commission and its staff. Working for IEBC should not be a death sentence."
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