Wafula Chebukati, the disgraced Chairman of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), finds himself ensnared in the grip of illness, teetering on the precipice of mortality. Whispers in the corridors of power suggest a dire state of health, as he languishes within the confines of Nairobi Hospital, later to be whisked away to the esteemed halls of Aga Khan Hospital for specialized care. Reports even dare to speculate that he’s been clandestinely transported to the distant shores of Germany, seeking solace in the arms of expert healers. This is not the maiden voyage into the tempestuous seas of affliction for Chebukati; indeed, tales of his infirmity have circulated before, with even the specter of death looming ominously in the past.
The cacophony of rumor mills churns relentlessly, weaving tales of governmental subterfuge, suggesting that Chebukati may have already succumbed to the merciless grip of mortality, his demise veiled by the shroud of official secrecy. Yet, amidst this tumult of uncertainty, a luminous note arises from the shadows of Chebukati’s personal life. Susan Nekesa, his estranged wife, raises her voice in a desperate plea for justice, alleging that she’s been unjustly barred from her ailing husband’s side by the ironclad decree of a court order. In a viral missive across the digital ether, Susan lays bare her anguish, invoking her rights to inheritance and accusing Chebukati of the gravest of sins, including the transmission of the HIV virus.
The burning question that consumes the collective consciousness of the nation is the veracity of Chebukati’s condition. Though whispers of his grave illness permeate every corner, the precise nature of his malady remains veiled in obscurity, leaving a miasma of doubt lingering in the air. As reports surface of his imminent airlift to Germany, speculation reaches fever pitch, hinting at the direness of his plight. In the digital realm of Tikok, bold proclamations of Chebukati’s demise echo, reverberating with a chorus of anger and resentment.
But beneath the veneer of concern lies a darker truth, a sinister undercurrent of schadenfreude coursing through the veins of Raila Amolo Odinga’s fervent supporters. For them, Chebukati is no mere mortal; he is the architect of their deepest grievances, the puppet master who orchestrated their electoral defeats. It was Chebukati, they believe, who denied their champion the throne of power not once, but twice, ushering in an era of turmoil under the yoke of Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto. Thus, with news of his failing health, a perverse jubilation sweeps through their ranks, a gleeful anticipation of retribution against the one they deem responsible for their woes.
In fact, in the tempestuous arena of Kenyan politics, the name Chebukati reverberates with scorn and indignation, shunned by a populace ravaged by the consequences of stolen elections. As the nation grapples with the turbulent reign of William Ruto, a man seen by many as the product of electoral manipulation, the specter of Chebukati looms large, his legacy stained by the accusations of rigging that have plunged Kenya into turmoil.
The Curse of Stealing Raila Odinga’s Election Victories
The bitter irony of his plight is not lost on millions of Raila Odinga’s supporters, who see in Chebukati the architect of their perpetual disenfranchisement. Fuelled by the fervent belief that Raila’s ascension to power could have averted the woes besetting the nation, their animosity towards Chebukati simmers with a righteous fury, manifesting in a torrent of vitriol on social media. For them, Chebukati’s suffering serves as a grim reminder of the cost of political betrayal, a punishment meted out by the very populace he sought to deceive.
In the shadowy annals of Kenyan politics, a chilling specter haunts those who dare to thwart the will of Raila Odinga, a curse known as “chira” in Luo culture. From the hallowed halls of power to the humble abodes of the countryside, whispers abound of a grim fate befalling those who dare to steal Raila’s rightful victories. The saga begins in 2007 when victory was snatched from his grasp by the late Chairman of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK), Kivuitu, only to meet his own demise and be consigned to the earth.
In 2013, the mantle of theft fell upon the shoulders of IEBC Chairman Hassan, now reportedly battling a terminal illness. And now, the ominous clouds of fate gather once more as Wafula Chebukati, former Chairman of Independent Electoral and Bounderies Commission (IEBC) finds himself ensnared in the grip of illness, his prognosis uncertain. For those who dare to tamper with destiny, the toll exacted by the relentless march of time may be more than they ever bargained for.
In the painfull moment of Chebukati’s affliction, a nation finds itself at a crossroads, torn between compassion and condemnation, between the specter of mortality and the thirst for justice. As the saga unfolds, only time will reveal the ultimate fate of this embattled figure, whose very name has become synonymous with controversy and division.
Kenneth Ochieng
