Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati’s wife Mary Chebukati has asked Kenyans to pray for him.
“Naomba tu mtuombee, mtuombee kama familia wakati huu wenye tunaingia hii uchaguzi, mimi naomba mtuombee sababu mimi najua mzee kitu kimoja anataka tu kufuata sheria. (Please pray for our family, especially during this electioneering period. All I know is my husband wants to follow the law).”
Mary spoke candidly about how her husband’s job has kept him away from his family during a burial service on Saturday.
“Saa zingine tunamwonaga kwa tv zaidi ata kuliko tunavyomwona nyumbani sababu ya hii kazi. (Most times we see him on TV even more than we see him physically because of his work but I’m thankful he is here today),” she said.
She mentioned that although their family was really anxious during the previous election, this year they are stronger.
“Ile election ingine watoto walikuwa na huzuni sana lakini sasa wako na nguvu na hata yeye mwenyewe ako na nguvu na kila siku tunamuombea tukisema Mungu ampatie wisdom, Mungu shower him with the blood of Jesus ili atumikie nchi hii. (Our children were deeply affected by the last election exercise but now they are strong, and so is Chebukati. We always pray for God’s wisdom to guide him as he serves the nation).”
On January 18, 2017, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Chebukati to succeed Issack Hassan as chairman of the electoral agency.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto were declared the winners of the 2017 general elections, which were presided over by Chebukati and a team of six election commissioners.
Chebukati has been under pressure to make sure the election is free, fair, and error-free with this year’s poll.
