Former IEBC Commissioner Roselyn Akombe Breaks into Tears During an Interview with NPR Radio in the US
Former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Roselyn Akombe on Wednesday broke into tears during an interview with American NPR radio.
Speaking during the interview hours after her resignation, the outspoken former commissioner blasted the international community for what she described as blindly backing a “deeply flawed” electoral system.
Dr Akombe pointed out that foreign countries failed in their mandate to ensure that Kenya holds a free, fair and credible election. “It’s a complex situation and where you have international community fully supporting the entire process, without questioning any part of such process,” Dr Akombe said.
She added: “In other countries that I have worked, the international community should have been the first to raise these concerns.”
She further faulted the international community for refusing to disclose to the world the kind of environment Kenya is holding the repeat poll in. “You have not heard anybody from the international community explain whether we have environment that will lead us to have a fair and credible election,” she said.
However, it was until she was asked to defend herself from claims of being an ‘opposition-mole’ within the electoral commission that an emotional Akombe broke into tears. “I cannot be a crazy person who has woken up and is raising these issues. I’m speaking out because I care for that country, I passionately care about my country. I do not want to see my country going down again,” she said as she wiped out tears off her cheeks. “I am speaking out because I’m hoping that there are some sober heads who will take this up and redeem that country (Kenya), before it goes down the drain…sorry you got me a bit emotional, I wouldn’t be able to continue with this interview,” she told the interviewer.
Comments (62)
Well we need sober heads at the supreme court of Kenya.The Maraga 4 are the ones who should be held very much responsible for the mess that we are witnessing in the country.The aug 8th election was free and fair.It was as free and fair as any reasonable and sober person would have expected it to be.But they annuled that election.Effectively engaging in theft of the election from the Kenyan Electorate.They stole a clear win(1.4M vote margin) from UHURU. This is the heart of the problem. Raila is a chaos causing demagogue.What he is really trying to do is to make the country ungovernable.The fact that the Maraga 4 gave him a second chance;A second chance to engage in his efforts to make the country ungovernable is unforgivable and utterly abhorrent.The annulment judgement was an atrocious decision.It was injustice of the highest order.I give credit for the jubilee party and its leadership for managing the current situation and for working to maintain peace/stability and civil order in the country right now.May God give the jubilee party victory in every way.Now we are headed for the OCt 26th election. UHURU will win again.I hope that the supreme court judges will get it right this time around.For the sake of Peace, stability and civil order in Kenya.
Well said @Kim. Maraga 4 thugs destroyed our beautiful country. If they nullify the results this time KDF need to recount it and prosecute those wakora judges in court-martial (military court). We know judiciary is number 2 in corruption. Only police force can beat it in corruption
Judiciary like AlShabaab are separate arms of ODM.The other one is ANGLICAN CHURCH.
Omera. Rubbish! Yours Comments are Downright Inferior to POLITICS and therefore PoliCRAPS (if you know what CRAP means).
Omera, yawa...I agree with you....a very 'hard' statement!
KIM. Ms. Akombe is PATRIOTIC and a Nationalist; and she knows it's "NOT Yet UHURU" in Kenya.
@Guest1, tafadhali mwambiye huyu mama aondoe aibu ndogo-ndogo. Where are the women of substance in Kenya? Si Waiguru, si shoilel, si passaris, si shebesh, si wanga, si Nyeri women rep.
Our choice of women into powerful position equals that of America for african models ...icons of beauty....if you've seen the alex weks and need-i-say.... UHURU PLEASE BRING MARTHA KARUA INTO GOVERNMENT...FOR THE SAKE OF GOOD MODELS FOR OUR GIRLS! Our women of yon, kina Grace Ogot, Beth Mugo, Phoebe Asiyo, Edah Gachukia etc etc were women of substance. UHURU consider role models for our girls...Young WINNIE ODINGA sounds like a 'grace ogot' in the making...patia yeye kazi...all we want is good for Kenya!
Akombe had every right to resign but after quitting she should leave us alone to sort ourselves out.
RAILA is famous for wanton destruction of people's careers, independent institutions and and property.
He believes without him there is no Kenya. He had whipped the emotions of anger and hatred amongst his supporters.
playing the victim won't help Kenya.
I think by by defusing to participate in the elections he is defying the court.
Utter Bullshit!
Akombe was a NASA mole. Why then would she see credibility in a poll in which her party was desperately losing. She broke down because of guilt. History will judge her with cruelty.
Sokora. Ms. Akombe is PATRIOTIC and a Nationalist; and she knows it's "NOT Yet UHURU" in Kenya.
@KIM, 54 years of the Gikuyu/Kalenjin "Ubeberu" must come to an end! The British people were called "Wabeberu" by the freedom fighters. Now we have domestic Wabeberu known as Gikuyu and Kalenjin joint.
Mbeberu ni Mbeberu. Hana rangi, wala asili yake au mambo ya ujinsia (gendder). Mbeberu ni Mbeberu!
Imara. This UbeBeru is Going to End very soon (once these 2 Playboys are Kicked Out of Office). Amen!!
Imara, I am quoting an article by a Luo writer who researched the origins of both Kikuyu and Kalenjin to see why they are so dominant in Kenya
"Kikuyu and Kalenjin migratory tales as narrated by the earlier generations seams to indicate that the Kikuyus and Kalenjins may actually have migrated to their current location from a place called Axum in Ethiopia.
it is said that after the break up of Axum, the kikuyus and Kalenjins migrated southwards together with the covenant and hid it on Mt. Kenya and Mt Elgon for Kalenjins and that is why for Kikuyus they normally regarded Mt. Kenya as a seat for their God. It is a well known fact that the ancient Axum Empire was occupied by group of communities which had blood relationship with the Jews through the famous queen of Sheba. More so, the southward migration from Axum to the eventual current settlement at the foot of Mt. Kenya and Eldoret area appear to make more sense than the West, Southwards and then Northward kind of movement.
Kikuyus and Kalenjins thirst for Business and investment is not only restricted to the Kenyan Borders, their business acumen stretches across the world. Including, far flung places such as USA, S.Africa, United Kingdom etc.
Kikuyus and Kalenjins have no raw desire for power the only reason why they wish to control political happenings is to ensure that the entrepreneur spirit in them is not dampened by careless and un -favorable policies or poor governance that may occur with the rise of heathen tribes that have no background in business". You see Mr. Imara, as these two igneous tribes use their knowledge and experience to educate and enlighten other tribes in Kenya the whole nation benefits. People like you were Akombe would be somewhere in Gussii hearding goats were it not for the sacrifice made by Kikuyu freedom fighters and Kalenjin Warriors to bring about the freedom Maraga, Chebukati, Nyakali Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Muthama, Owiti, Kambaland and western Kenya enjoy today. People like Joho would most likely be in Yemen fighting with ISS. So stop nagging and count your blessings.
Thank you Mr. Kwamboka...you made my year!
ur not serious here we are
talking about winning not mbeberu Imara
"That country", wah! Anyway, have to Grant her one thing; she's a good actor.
This woman pretend to have come from the sky to find the country in this situation.She should repent for being naive and dishonest, she was a Raila mole who was trying tooth and nail to help him ascend to the presidency.The fact that she could not continue with the interview speak volume , she was caught pants down by the question she was least expecting.The country cannot go down as she puport,the kikuyu have invested so much to let go of their wealth, every one knows who may want the country go down the drain,they don't invest, they have nothing to lose, the lake Republic njaluo , they're like dogs licking it's wounds
Kikuyu's should stop acting like they have been feeding Luo's and the rest of other Kenyans.
Luo's and other tribes do not eat in your house and we do not but clothes or build houses with Kikuyu money.
So spare us the none-sense that Kikuyu have the most to lose.
We own land and we did not steal it from Kikuyu's.
Kikuyu's always pretend they are the only people with land and investments in Kenya.
I don't agree with what Migwi said especially in his last sentence. That said, I want to say that not all kyuks think the same; some have mixed a lot and respect other micro-nations as Imara would say. Let's not paint them all with the same brush.
I think there is a level of annoyance and intolerance when you hear Kikuyu this and that, Kikuu benefits from govt , kikuyu are thieves etc . We are human too and sometimes people crack and get even and it is not right either way, not at all. I'm with you, I know many successful Kenyans of all walks of life but it gets to me when only successful kyuks are picked on as thieves and may not have gotten where they are by sheer hard work.
I feel you fg2. The incessant maligning of kyuks or any community, lumping ills of a few on all also drives me nuts. But I also realize that I don't want to insult my intelligence by stooping so low, when I have so much more material that I can smoother opponents with. I leave tribal insults to the likes of Doreen, Guest1 and Migwi.
Since you "went there"- Yep add in Kales, Kisii's , Masaai's and Uganda in Migingo side of equation :-). With all that land you mention and yet we are "marginalized" kumbe that haki yenu has been a chant just for the fun of it . Now we know. Thank you for telling it as it should be told.
Daniel migwi. Yeah! You're right. Not just Luis but All Non-Kikuyu Tribes in Kenya are Licking (their) Wounds INFLICTED on them in 2007 when Mwai Kibaki Lost to RAILA and Was Sworn in at NIGHT, 2013, and now 2013 (due to KIKUYU Tribalism, Nepotism, RIGGING to 'cling to power' and Runaway Corruption).
I supported this lady after she resigned, lakini her laments thereafter raises some suspicions. She appears to know more than she is letting on. Pili, the manner in which she handed in her resignation also is suspect (after leaving the country). For that I say: Your tears may be a sign of your haunted conscious for which you will forever live with if you have betrayed your country.
Sukari. Ms. Akombe is Being CAUTIOUS; afterall Mwenda Pole HAJIKWAI.
This woman pretend to have come from the sky to find the country in this situation.She should repent for being naive and dishonest, she was a Raila mole who was trying tooth and nail to help him ascend to the presidency.The fact that she could not continue with the interview speak volume , she was caught pants down by the question she was least expecting.The country cannot go down as she puport,the kikuyu have invested so much to let go of their wealth, every one knows who may want the country go down the drain,they don't invest, they have nothing to lose, the lake Republic njaluo , they're like dogs licking it's wounds
No, help except for plain playing field.
Come and see how crocodile tears look like. kitendawili tega Crocodile tears = Roselyn Akombe
I am not a member of the Gusii micro-nation. However, these people have produced two distinguished members of the third liberation of Kenya: Ndugu Maraga and Roselyn Akombe. Hongereni sana. The Gusii people (minus sycophant Matiang'i) have started the Third Liberation of Kenyan heroes.
@Imara, msimamo baba! Most times than not, I see sense in your comments... you'd be in 'my...;)' panel of objective people with differing opinion..... Hapa umeenda low... umesahau what you usually preach... cohesion, not ukabila.....kusema tu...
Nonsense - if maraga swears in uhuru next month, will he still be a so called 3rd or 4th liberation hero? kwani how many liberations are we going to have? so every time there is an election, it is a liberation ... why not change the name in the constitution - we shall be having a liberation every 5 yrs - ino boi yonaga ta injugi muno - hata sisi tulienda shule - brary fool
LOL!
Akombe thought all people support murderer Raila.She started crying when she was cornered by a journalist who knows Kenyan useless politics.Akombe should confess and tell us the amount(billions of dollars) she together with kina Maraga were paid by muuaji Raila.
@Omera, For goodness sake when you use the word "muuaji" to describe Raila, please include the two great "waujai" Uhuru and Ruto of 2007-08.
Quick question, kenyans in kenya are not crying (at least not on media) why should we take your tears for patriotism? politically kenya is at a point of diminishing returns. No matter how we peddle up (the Brits have a better word) the situation one conspiracy theory after another; the outcome is not improving or explaining the underlying facts (mind you not truth). Na kila mtu atabeba mslaba wake mwenyewe...siku hiyo ikifika..I got work to do.
Wewe lia kabisa ukimaliza tukutane kwa ndebe Uhuru tano tena.
Guilty much!!!We don't care for her tears, no one is buying her innocence . She was NASA mole and she was doing everything possible to help Raila ascend to the Caanan throne
Looking at the comments you will think Kikuyu's Feed, cloth and house all the other tribes on Kenya.
We have our own money and we don't depend on the government.
This whole idea that other Kenyans like Luo's have nothing to lose if chaos happen in Kenya is juvenile and Foolish.
Kikuyu's did not give Luo's Nyanza neither did they give Turkana's their land, Meru or even Coast.
You don't feed us neither did you pay for our air tickets to come to America.
So the Kikuyu's over here pretending we eat your Githerii should spare us.
And add in Asians, Mzungus is Karen and Muthaiga, Ngong road. I know my parents feed a few of you he he he
You have money, we got money too.
You have land, we got land too.
You travel the world we travel the world too.
You speak foreign languages, we speak foreign languages too.
We don't eat in your kitchen and you don't eat in our kitchen.
So let's respect each other.
I see you got the point so stop whining about being marginalized, we are all the same
The rest of us don't have a false sense of entitlement like people in the Kikuyu tribe.
Kikuyu privilege , it's a thing :)
Speak the truth Doreen.Is it true that Gikuyu clients pick you six nights of the seven you are on duty at KOINANGE St.per week?
Only difference with her hideout is that whatever she says here in the US Can and will be used against her in a court of law.. this is not Larry Madawo side show...Come out clean and tell the truth Get yourself representation by your side or just plead your fifth.. anything else is just stupidity "I can't continue your too emotional is rubbish" you had time from when the elections were annulled. Why bail out only 6 days to election? You are a traitor and it will not be too long when they come after your dual citizenship which is previldge and I am sure UN would not want to be affiliated with peole that are working for dark powers. Tick Tack your clock is ticking and I am sure kogello is not where you envisioned for your retirement but Raila will sure pay visits
Whether she was a mole or not is besides the point.She raised important issues.The current political climate in Kenya is not conducive for an election.She chose life others like Chris Msando and Carol Ngumbu never got that chance.Eti elections no politician is worth my life.Let her be.
Now that Chiloba has stepped aside, can she dry her tears?
She may repent and come to save "that country". I still remember watching live when the results were being announced at Bomas and a pal hanging with me made an observation of her hovering around Cheb , guiding him not to make a mistake, and my pal commented on her demeanor . Now we know why 😉😉😉
Those were crocodile tears- false, fake insincere display of emotions that was meant to camouflage her true affection toward Raila Omolo Odinga. Akombe is like a crocodile that tears when luring a prey. There is nothing more than truth. From onset Akombe alongside Raila, Orengo, Chebukati, Kalonzo, Mudavadi, Nyakali, Chief Justice David Maraga, his Deputy Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu, justices Smokin Wanjala, Mohamed Khadhar Ibrahim, and Isaac Lenaola among others conspired to steal election win from His Excellence President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. The conspiracy is yet to completely unfold itself but once it does ,it will be one of the biggest scheme ever undertake by coup plotters.