Uchaguzi 2022: Sitroom Report #7

This situation room report is based on data from https://uchaguzi.or.ke as of 15th August 2022, 23:59h. Uchaguzi situation room reports will be shared regularly during election week.

Election Results Announcement 

​​​​With a day to the constitutional deadline for results to be announced, the IEBC finally sent out a notice that they would declare the election outcome today. Invited guests converged at Bomas Kenya – including diplomats, dignitaries, candidates, and the media. 

Image Credit: REUTERS/Baz Ratner

However, a series of unexpected events clouded what was being seen as a rather transparent election process.

Events:

• Roots presidential candidate George Wajackoyah and Agano candidate David Waihiga Mwaure were the first candidates to arrive at the Bomas. They embraced and joined hands on arrival inside the Bomas, which was well received by many as a positive expression of the need for peace. 
• Kenya Kwanza candidate William Ruto arrived with a large contingent escorting him. He joined the other candidates in the lounge. 
• Notably missing was Azimio One candidate – Raila Odinga, prompting speculation among those closely following the event over television and online. 
• Citizens expressed concern about the delay in delivery of the final announcement. It was scheduled for 3 pm EAT, however, over two hours later there was still no sign of the event kicking off. A dedicated choir kept Kenyans entertained during this wait. 
• A scuffle broke out inside the Bomas National Tallying Centre and a number of Azimio One leaders are expelled from the center after an attempt to confront the IEBC Chair as he approached the podium to make the announcement. 
• Diplomats were quickly whisked out of the Bomas National Tallying Centre causing even more speculation. 
• Azimio One Chief agent Saitabao Ole Kanchory addressed the media outside the Bomas accusing the IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati of being evasive with regard to the final results.
• A parallel press conference was addressed by four IEBC Commissioners at a separate venue distancing themselves from what they refer to as an “opaque process” towards the announcement of the final results.
• Under close protection, the IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati declared William Ruto the President-Elect and accordingly handed him a certified form 34C pronouncing the same.  In his acceptance speech, William Ruto called for unity. 
• Congratulatory messages for the President-Elect have already started to trickle from leaders from Burundi, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Uganda. 
• Candidates or others have seven days to file any challenge over the election results. The Supreme Court will have 14 days to rule.

Security Issues

There were varied responses to the announcement of the election outcome. Some areas broke into celebration, while others had pockets of violence reported. 

Image Credit: Associated Press

Celebrations were registered in Eldoret, Nakuru, Naivasha — and closer to Nairobi in Juja, Ruiru, and Githurai. These caused disruption of normal business in these locations. 

The confirmed insecurity reports so far include: 

• Kayole: Since morning, rowdy youth have been taking advantage to loot shops and grabbing people's possessions including mobile phones. Police responded and are now patrolling the area.
• Mathare: This evening after the announcement of the results, the youth started rioting. Some physical attacks and damage to property were reported. Heavy police presence is observed and there is relative normality as all residents have been asked to stay indoors.
• Kondele: Groups of youth gathered to protest the results. They burned tyres and caused disruption to normal business. However, the area police have been able to contain the situation. 
• Rumors of the missing IEBC Returning Officer from Embakasi being found murdered were circulating across social media for most of the evening. However, this is yet to be verified as there has been no official report regarding the same. Per situational report time, The Nation media house filed a report indicating that an unidentified male was discovered by herders in Loitotok Forest near Kajiado. The identity of the corpse is yet to be confirmed. UPDATE: Nation now confirms that the unidentified corpse is indeed that of missing IEBC Returning Officer Daniel Musyoka.

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