Reports indicate that former ECK chairman Samuel Kivuitu has died. Kivuitu died last evening while undergoing treatment at the MP Shah hospital in Nairobi.
Kivuitu has for the past few years been fighting esophagus cancer, but on a recent TV interview with Joe Ageyo, announced he had been cured. He was however in bad shape.
The former chairman of the electoral commission presided over the elections that led to Kenya’s worst post election violence. Many people believed he was partly to blame, for delaying to announce a winner, and later announcing very contested results. He is also on record saying he doesn’t know who won the elections.
Kivuitu however defended himself saying he only announced what was brought to him, and he had no choice. During his last TV interview 3 weeks ago, Kivuitu forewarned Isaak Hassan that he may find himself in a similar position, where suspect results are forwarded to him, with no option of not announcing.
Apart from the 2007 elections, Kivuitu will also be remembered for leading his commission into holding a very successful 2002 election and 2005 referendum. In both this times, the country experienced relative peace.
It is sad that he has died just 7 days before the country goes to the ballot. He has however done his part in this world.
May God rest his soul in eternal peace.
© nairobiwire.com
