Azimio MPs want committee to probe Chebukati’s conduct
Azimio la Umoja Members of Parliament now want a Special Committee of the House formed to inquire into the conduct of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners to determine the full extent of misuse of public resources and abuse of office.
The opposition party also wants Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye to start the process of handing over their offices in line with the IEBC Act.
They demanded that the commissioners stop conducting the business of the commission and proceed on terminal leave ahead of their retirement.
“All the decisions that have been made without the participation of the plenary rescinded, including the printing of ballot papers for by-elections and illegal job promotions being made by Chebukati and his team,” read a statement by the MPs during a press conference at parliament buildings.
The new demands by the Opposition come days after the process to remove from office four commissioners who disputed President William Ruto’s victory started last week after the National Assembly received four petitions. Azimio MPs who were led by minority leader Opiyo Wandayi want an independent audit to be undertaken to establish expenditures incurred particularly after the conclusion of the 2022 General-Election and action taken where crime has been committed.
They accused commission Chief executive Hussein Marjan for by passing the law while making arrangements for ballot papers for the by-elections scheduled for December 9 and January 5 next year.
“The same company in Greece that printed papers for the general election once again has been given the tender, unilaterally. In moving to print the ballots away, the commission is defying its own policy that ballots for by-elections shall be printed locally to create jobs for Kenyans,” said Wandayi.
The matter, the MP said had not been discussed at the plenary by the commissioners and therefore no explanation given as to how the decision to contract the Greek firm was reached. The opposition further claimed that the commission under Chebukati has been rewarding in way of promotions of junior staff to top management roles without interviews.
