Wafula Chebukati dismisses report that rates him as a poor public communicator
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairperson Wafula Chebukati speaking in Naivasha on January 7, 2022.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati has denied claims that he is one of the worst public communicators.
Speaking after a planning meeting with six commissioners in Naivasha on Friday, Mr Chebukati said the report was not factual.
"I looked at the report published by the Daily Nation and my conclusion was that the report was compiled by two individuals without carrying out any survey," said Mr Chebukati.
He added: "I don't think Kenyans were consulted, the authors of the report might have been driven by personal opinions. I still can't understand what drove them to draft such a misleading and alarming report."
An independent analysis conducted by Mr Paul Achar, executive communication coach and applied human communication practitioner at Jade Communications, and Dr Sam Kamau, a communications scholar and lecturer at Aga Khan University, rated Mr Chebukati as one of the worst communicators.
“The IEBC chairperson has been in office for more than five years but does not seem to have grown communications skills," said the report.
However, Mr Chebukati said his communication skills were excellent.
"Today (Friday) I am releasing a detailed statement on the IEBC preparedness for the August 9 General Election and I would like to ask the members of the media present here today, if I am not communicating,” he posed.
According to the report, Mr Chebukati "lacked leadership communication skills of confidence, believability, clarity and likeability to inspire confidence in the August 9 General Elections."
Other Kenyans and private and public institutions that were rated as worst communicators included Pastor James Ng'ang'a, lawyer Dunstan Omari, Judicial Service Commission, the National Police Service, Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha, embattled Football Kenya Federation boss Nick Mwendwa, newly elected Kiambaa MP John Njuguna, IEBC communication team and growing list of self-made "public intellectuals" whose expertise cannot hold water when challenged by real experts.
