Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati has asked Kenyans to remember the electoral agency’s employees and their families in prayers as the country heads into the general election.
Speaking at a breakfast meeting with the clergy on Wednesday, August 3, 2022, Chebukati said the families of the IEBC staffers suffer in silence.
“Behind the scenes for all of us are our families, the ones who suffer silently, you may not know but our wives and children need prayers because in whatever we do, they also have their friends and belong to various groups. They need prayers so that they can stand with us in this journey,” Chebukati said.
He also said that the employees of the electoral commission need prayers for the huge task that lies ahead.
According to the IEBC boss, some of the staffers spread across the country are already facing harassment from a section of the political class.
“Please pray for the IEBC staff. Those involved in the national tallying centre, the returning officers in the 47 counties and 290 constituencies, the clerks who will be at polling stations, the presiding officers,” he stated.
Chebukati also called for prayers for security teams tasked with escorting ballot papers and manning the polling stations on the polling day.
“Police need prayers because without them we cannot manage this process. Right now they are escorting ballot papers to various polling stations and they need prayers to work for the good of the country,” he added.
Chebukati made the revelations days after his wife spoke about the huge responsibility that the chairperson holds.
Speaking during her mother’s burial on Saturday, July 16, Mary asked Kenyans to pray for her husband saying he was more concerned with following the law.
Mary went on to reveal that the family sees him more on TV than at home because of the highly demanding job.
“Please pray for us as a family at this time the country is preparing for the August 9 elections. I know my husband wants one thing, and that is to follow the law. It is because of his work that we see him more often on TV than we do at home,” she said.
Mary Chebukati recounts 2017 ordeal
While expressing concern and worry, she recounted that her family was worried for the IEBC boss during the 2017 election.
Mary also noted that their children were deeply affected at the time, but are confident that their father will be safe.
“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 events of the last election but now they are strong, and so is Chebukati. We always pray for God’s wisdom to guide him as he serves the nation),” she said while referring to the disputed 2017 election results that sparked protests in some parts of the country.
