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Two former IEBC commissioners yesterday revealed how top government officials and Azimio la Umoja leadership stormed the National Tallying Centre at Bomas on August 15 to try to influence the outcome of presidential elections.

Prof Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, who testified before a tribunal formed to investigate the conduct of four of their former colleagues now referred to as ‘Cherera Four’, claimed that the National Security Advisory Council (NSAC), who visited them at Bomas, even threatened them if they declared William Ruto the winner.

Members of NSAC mentioned yesterday included former Principal Administrative Secretary at the Office of President Kennedy Kihara, Solicitor General Kennedy Ogeto, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai and Lt. General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the Vice Chief of Defence Forces.

Bloodshed scare

Guliye, who was the first to testify before the tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Muchelule, claimed that NSAC threatened them that should Kenyans begin to fight each other and blood is spilt, the blood of those Kenyans would be on their hands.

He claimed that the Azimio leadership, which he referred to as ‘senior citizens’, visited Bomas at around 3 am, while NSAC arrived at around 10 am the same day.

“NSAC came at 10 am and was seated at the office of security in charge at Bomas …he left them in the office and came to our holding room to inform us about them.

They wanted to see the chairperson, but the chair said we were going to see them at 2 pm since we were finalising some verification process,” Guliye told the tribunal.

The retired commissioner narrated that, after they were done with the verification process, Chebukati called a meeting for the commissioners and the first item of the meeting was to receive the visitors.

“After we went to the boardroom, the visitors joined us and introduced themselves, led by Kihara, who introduced them one by one … They were four in total and he was the only one who spoke … he explained to us the reason for their visitation and said it was on behalf of the main committee of NSAC … he stressed that the committee had been chosen to represent various offices,” Guliye narrated.

According to him, the security council wanted them to announce Raila Odinga as the winner of the elections, yet at that time they did not have the full results.

Force a run-off

“As an alternative, in the event, we don’t announce the results of whoever they wanted us to announce, then the message was that we should ensure we have a run-off … Remember they said they were emissaries so they wanted feedback or assurance to take back to the committee. I think the assurance they wanted was: ‘Yes, we will comply’ and that was not forthcoming. So after they made their remarks, they gave the commissioners an opportunity to react,” said Guliye. It was at that time that the  ‘Cherera Four’ supported the sentiments of the security council.

According to Guliye, Irene Masit — who is one of the four commissioners left standing — supported the sentiments, saying they needed to pay attention to the advice.

“For me, it was not in order for anyone to say someone should be declared the winner …. It was not in order for any commissioner to make any statement supporting any candidate since we did not know who the winning candidate was,” said Guliye.

The tribunal heard that when the commissioners finally got the results, the Cherera Four claimed the margin was too close and therefore they should force a run-off, which they declined.

“The fact that they said what they said, means there were other games at play which we were not aware of … It looks like it was prearranged. How do you leave Bomas in 20 minutes and come to a complete set-up podium with the media at Serena Hotel?” asked Guliye.

The former commissioner further revealed that they went into a three-day hiding after announcing the presidential results because they did not know what would happen to them. “There was a lot of insecurity at the tallying centre. A number of our staff were abducted and many were frightened,” he said.

Left in Noah

He added that they had to send away their security and leave Bomas in a Toyota Noah vehicle. “I recall going into Siberia in my own country together with CEO Marjan and commissioner Molu. We went into hiding, put off our phones and left them at Bomas,” he said.

Guliye said the only contact they had with Kenyans and the world was the television. These sentiments were echoed by his former colleague, Boya Molu, who also narrated the events of August 15.

The hearing continues today.