Chebukati tells lawyer Orengo: We’re no ‘criminal enterprise’
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has come out to defend itself over claims by Siaya Senator James Orengo that it’s a “criminal enterprise” that should be disbanded before the 2022 General Election.
Orengo, who doubles up as the Minority Leader in Senate, on Monday claimed the team that presided over the August 2017 and subsequent repeat presidential election should be sent packing to pave way for a new one.
In a statement to newsrooms, the commission, led by chairman Wafula Chebukati, said Orengo’s remarks that the Commission is a “criminal enterprise” which can be disbanded at will is disrespectful and an insult to IEBC.
“The Commission’s attention has been drawn to calls for its disbandment by the Honorable Senator for Siaya, James Orengo as debate on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report rages on with further calls for a possible referendum,” said a statement by IEBC’s Communications and Corporate office.
Criminal enterprise
It adds, “The Honorable Senator is an elected member of the Senate who is, therefore, a product of the same alleged criminal enterprise,”
If, indeed, he stands by his sentiments, the polls team said, he should honourably resign to gain moral grounds to criticise the institution that oversaw his election to the Senate.
Some Jubilee Party legislators allied to Deputy President William Ruto, Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi and those associated Ford Kenya’s leader and Bungoma Senator Moses Wetangula have also criticised Senator Orengo accusing him of double standards.
Led by Mumias East MP Benjamin Washiali and his Nambale counterpart Sakwa Bunyasi, the lawmakers said while the senator has termed the IEBC as a criminal enterprise, he has, gone ahead to ask the same “criminal enterprise” to manage the referendum after which it is disbanded.
