Open letter to Wafula Chebukati

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission chairperson Wafula Chebukati is a man under siege after a letter allegedly addressed to him circulated widely on the social media. The letter appeared on the Facebook page of a Nairobi-based lawyer Donald Kipkorir and was allegedly authored by the prominent lawyer.

In what appears to be a warning shot against the IEBC boss, the lawyer begins by recognising the patriotic duty bestowed on Chebukati to head the poll body. But he quickly reminds Mr. Chebukati that most of the bosses of the most sensitive institutions in Kenya have never been lucky enough to complete their terms in office, owing to the dangerous and thankless nature of the job.

In his message, the lawyer compares the office of the IEBC chair to “the sex lives of Spider and Mantis males who enjoy the split seconds copulation knowing the female will kill them after”. He also reminds Chebukati to master the art of handling post poll chaos which he notably says will come. Lawyer Kipkorir says “Still, some of the spider and mantis males have learned how to survive the post-sex cannibalism. You must learn how to survive post-election cannibalism. For sure, it will come”.

As an antidote, the letter advises Mr. Chebukati to respect the supreme law of the land and never to apply electoral laws selectively. He ends by reminding the IEBC boss that Kenya is greater than power, money, sex or any other side kick that can be used to influence the outcome of the forthcoming elections.

This letter comes in the wake of massive hurdles faced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission prior to the elections. The opposition has questioned the credibility of the commission to handle elections, threatening to go to court to stop the ongoing printing of ballot papers.

Below is the letter:

Open Letter To Wanyonyi Chebukati,

Chairman, IEBC

We haven't met in over 15 years since we did that Mercedes case in Mombasa that you had bought from my client, DT Dobie. Now, the Nations-State of Kenya has placed on you the onerous but patriotic duty of being the Chairman of IEBC. Alongside NSSF, EACC and CBK, IEBC leadership is prestigious but the most thankless and dangerous. The leaders of these institutions never complete their terms in office. Such offices are like the sex lives of Spider and Mantis males who enjoy the split seconds copulation knowing the female will kill them after.

Still, some of the spider and mantis male have learnt how to survive the post-sex cannibalism. You must learn how to survive post-election cannibalism. For sure, it will come.

What you need to do is simple: respect the Constitution and the applicable electoral laws. Don't bend the law for any political party. Don't go to bed with any party. Like a true lawyer, never sleep with your clients, viz. political parties. Don't let IEBC be seen like a branch of Jubilee or NASA. Apply the law equally. Don't allow the Government of the day to use you. Fiat justitia ruat cælum (Let justice be done though the heavens fall).

And remember that the unity of Kenya and post-election peace is more important than your office or multi-billion contracts. You should never sacrifice Kenya for money or power or sex.

Above all: always remember power, no matter how powerful is transient. It ends. It comes to an end. Many powerful men have been seduced by power to their peril. Thomas Cromwell thought he was God just because King Henry VII allowed him to have a say in choosing his three wives , and also in breaking England from Rome. On July 28, 1540, Cromwell was hanged on Tower Hill.

Mr. Chairman, enjoy your office, but know the power and the perils.

Donald