BY SAM ALFAN.
Sometimes, even a pillar needs support, or so the saying goes.
Even the strongest of men need someone to stand by them. The tougher the job, the more you need a person to lean on. Being in charge of elections in Kenya is no small feat.
The task is challenging, and at times, it can be depressing and thankless.
For the immediate former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, there was one man who stood by him, unwaveringly.
Even during the tense moments at Bomas of Kenya, this man was present. Whenever Chebukati needed legal advice on electoral laws, this man was always there.
This man, Wambua Kilonzo, was even present in court, defending the chairman when the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya coalition challenged the presidential outcome at the Supreme Court.
Lawyer Wambua Kilonzo was Chebukati’s trusted counsel and stood by him at all times—a reliable ally, even when some commissioners of the electoral body broke ranks with Chebukati.
He was there when both the chairman and the country needed him most, as political temperatures soared.
Close friends say that Lawyer Kilonzo was the true engine behind ensuring that the IEBC ran smoothly.
For any keen observer, Chebukati rarely made decisions without the input of Lawyer Kilonzo.
He was often seen standing behind Chebukati with a resolute expression, signaling that the chairman was about to deliver information that everyone in the room should listen to carefully.
Chebukati trusted Wambua Kilonzo in every aspect of his role. He would send him to represent him in key decision-making committees or stakeholders’ meetings. Whatever Lawyer Kilonzo said and represented was regarded as Chebukati’s word.
The lawyer, who has handled significant cases related to the IEBC and the Communications Authority of Kenya—such as the digital migration—became a pillar in the Commission’s decision-making process under Chebukati’s leadership.
Although rarely seen in the spotlight, Lawyer Kilonzo wielded immense power and influence during Chebukati’s tenure, assisting him in making critical decisions regarding the operations of the Commission.
Kilonzo was responsible for advising the chairman on legal requirements and processes. When a suit was filed against the Commission, it was Kilonzo who would go through the court documents and decide the best course of action to counter the case.
The two men trusted each other completely. Lawyer Kilonzo would spend long hours strategizing with others on how to navigate political pressure, ongoing legal battles, and disputes within the Commission.
If you paid attention during the Presidential elections, you would spot Lawyer Kilonzo either behind or beside Chebukati while addressing the nation on the Commission’s decisions or declaring the winner of the presidential election.
In the event of contested presidential elections, and the Commission filing responses, it was Lawyer Kilonzo who meticulously ensured that the Commission’s documents were in order, instructing how they should be presented at the Supreme Court registry. Unless you were paying close attention, it would be hard to notice the smooth, organized efforts of the man who was rarely captured by cameras while discharging his duties, but was always thorough in everything he did.
After drafting the Commission’s responses, Lawyer Kilonzo would retreat to undisclosed locations with his team, guiding them through every document to ensure the Commission had a strong case against the petitioners.
IEBC decisions and elections are often challenged by unsatisfied candidates who lose, but the Presidential election petitions were the most fiercely contested. It was during these times that Chebukati always ensured Lawyer Kilonzo was by his side, regardless of the hour, as he needed him to help make critical decisions and guide him to ensure compliance with constitutional requirements and timelines, avoiding conflicts with the law or involved parties.
Chebukati may have moved on, but his wingman, the engine behind IEBC operations during his tenure, and his right-hand man, Wambua Kilonzo, will miss the friend who trusted him during the most difficult times.
