IEBC chief Wafula Chebukati has said his job at the electoral agency is not an easy one even as the country gears towards the August 9 election.
Speaking during a prayer breakfast meeting on Wednesday, Chebukati said he and other commissioners have given the job all that is required.
“We have given it our all and we have done what the law requires. When we took up this assignment we knew we were going to serve the IEBC. I haven’t spoken to the commissioners to ask them if what they thought is what they are getting,” he said.
“Its not an easy job and I pray every morning before leaving my house and I thank God when I get back to get the little sleep if we do.”
Chebukati said they are prepared for a free, fair and credible elections.
“This is a task I chose to do and we swore by the bible and I ask God to help us . We are guided by the law and that is why when we have made decisions they are informed by legal framework,’ he said.
He said the mandate of running elections lies with IEBC and when others are encroaching in our mandate, they protect it.
“We want to remain in the drivers seat. But we can’t do it alone but work with other agencies,” he said.
"This five days remaining are very long for me but we ask for your prayers."
In the elections, Deputy President William Ruto 55, and veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga 77 are seeking to take over from President Uhuru Kenyatta.
There are two more contenders in the race; George Wajackoyah of Roots party and Wahiga Mwaure of Agano party. However, they all have below 7 percent in the opinion polls that have recently been conducted.
Ruto who has been selling his bottom up economic model has branded himself as the hustler, a reference to his humble beginnings as a chicken seller in his home in Rift Valley.
On the other hand, Raila who has previously had unsuccessful stab at the presidency, brands himself as a peacemaker who has brought peace through his Azimio caravan.
To win, either candidate will need to win more than half of all votes cast in the election.
Observers say the outcome might lead to Kenya going into a run-off for the first time due to the opinion polls that have put the two main contenders at close range.
The candidates have vowed to accept the result of the election if they lose, as long as the process is free and fair.
The results of the elections are expected to be announced by August 15th.
