Raila Odinga’s Brief Condolence Message to Chebukati’s Family Sparks Debate.
The passing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has drawn various reactions from political figures in Kenya.
While President William Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta shared detailed condolence messages recognizing Chebukati’s role in shaping Kenya’s electoral system, Raila Odinga’s brief statement has sparked mixed reactions across the country.
At the start of the day, many Kenyans were eager to see whether Raila Odinga would release a statement regarding Chebukati’s death.
Initially, there was no condolence message on his official social media accounts, unlike Ruto and Kenyatta, who had already expressed their sympathies.
However, later in the day, Odinga’s Secretariat issued a statement, which stood out due to its brevity and the way it was structured.
Uhuru Kenyatta’s statement expressed deep sadness and acknowledged Chebukati’s significant contributions to the country’s electoral process.
He recognized his resilience in navigating challenges and extended heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues. Similarly, William Ruto conveyed profound sorrow, describing Chebukati as a principled leader who served with integrity. He extended prayers to the bereaved family.
Unlike the others, Odinga’s statement was noticeably brief and focused solely on the bereaved family. It did not acknowledge Chebukati’s role at IEBC or his contributions to the electoral process.
Instead, it simply conveyed condolences to the late chairman’s family, particularly mentioning his widow, Mary, and sons, Jonathan and Emmanuel. The message was issued through his Secretariat’s letterhead rather than his official social media accounts, raising questions about its intent.
Possible Reasons for Raila’s Reserved Statement
Several factors may have influenced Odinga’s choice of words and the brevity of his message. First, Chebukati played a key role in the 2017 and 2022 presidential elections, both of which were highly contentious for Odinga.
The 2017 election results were nullified by the Supreme Court, citing irregularities, while in 2022, Chebukati was perceived by Odinga and his supporters as having unfairly overseen the election in Ruto’s favor. Given this history, Odinga may have found it difficult to offer praise or an elaborate tribute.
Additionally, Odinga’s supporters have long criticized Chebukati’s tenure, blaming him for what they consider electoral injustices. Issuing a more detailed condolence message might have sparked backlash from his base.
Instead, he appeared to opt for a politically neutral stance by restricting his message to the immediate family, avoiding any national acknowledgment of Chebukati’s contributions.
Odinga’s reserved approach has drawn varying reactions. Some view it as a calculated political move to avoid upsetting his supporters, while others see it as a reflection of his personal stance on Chebukati’s legacy.
Many Kenyans were divided in their reactions to Chebukati’s passing, with some mourning him while others saw his death as the departure of a controversial figure.
Read Also: Nyong’o’s Speech Sparks Panic in Ruto’s Camp as ODM Plans for 2027
Conclusion
Ultimately, Odinga’s brief condolence message serves as a reflection of the deep political divisions that have defined Kenya’s recent elections.
While Ruto and Kenyatta provided extensive tributes, Odinga’s choice to limit his statement to the family underscores the unresolved tensions surrounding the 2017 and 2022 elections.
This response has only fueled further debate over Chebukati’s legacy and the long-standing political rift in Kenya.
Raila Odinga’s Brief Condolence Message to Chebukati’s Family Sparks Debate
