CJ Interviews: Dark shadows of bungled 2007/8 poll haunt DP Ruto's staff

Daniel Wambura, principal administrative secretary in the Office of the Deputy President. /HEZRON NJOROGE
Daniel Wambura, principal administrative secretary in the Office of the Deputy President. /HEZRON NJOROGE

An employee at DP William Ruto's office was confronted with questions on the shambolic management of the 2007/8 general election during his interview for the CJ post.

Daniel Wambura, who is Ruto's principal administrative secretary,

was asked to defend himself against allegations of bungling the election whose disputed results led to violence and deaths.

The former

electoral commissioner

said nothing he did in his capacity led to the declaration of the wrong candidate as winner or vice versa.

"We

got results which I believe were correct," he told the JSC panel interviewing applicants for the Chief Justice position in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Wambura said

the disbandment of the electoral commission in 2008 "traumatised" and forced him out of work for a year.

"I do not

regret joining the electoral commission but I regret the unfortunate happenings," he said.

He noted he was later appointed Igad consultant.

Asked why he applied for the position yet the commission was involved in the disputed poll, Wambura said the decision was personal.

"It is not the electoral commission that is applying for this job," he said.

"I applied for this position because I believe I meet the eligibility criteria for appointment. It is

not as a reward."

Wambura admitted he did not know the structure of the Law Society of Kenya but said his Curriculum Vitae was unique.

"I am an expert in law, diplomacy, management and administration. I know how to form a team at any capacity in an organisation," he said.

"My lack of information is not a handicap and lack of information is not lack of capacity," he further told the committee chaired by acting Judicial Service Commission chair Margaret Kobia.

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