IEBC commissioners resign, cite lack of faith in Chebukati

Three of the six commissioners at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) have resigned citing lack of confidence in the commission chairman Wafula Chebukati.

In a joint press address from a Nairobi hotel, IEBC Vice Chair Consolata Nkatha, commissioners – Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat – said under Chebukati’s leadership external players had encroached on the commission’s independence.

They said the electoral agency’s boardroom had turned into “a venue for peddling money, misinformation and grounds for brewing mistrust.”

“For far too long and many times, the commission chair has failed to be the steady and stable hand that steers the ship in difficult times and gives direction when needed. Instead, under his leadership the commission’s boardroom has become a venue for peddling money, misinformation, grounds for brewing mistrust and a space for scrambling for individual glory and credit,” said Ms. Mwachanya as she read the joint statement.

They faulted the manner in which decisions were being made at the commission including the recent move to send IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba on a three-month compulsory leave.

“The institution has continued to be dysfunctional with arbitrary decision making, leaking of internal documents to serve personal goals and pursuing of personal interests. All of which are against the laid down laws that govern the conduct of the commission leadership and staff,” they added.

The three said the vote to send Chiloba packing was done while some of the commissioners were out of the country.

“The event related to the purported vote have greatly shaken our already feeble confidence in the chair. Given this severe deterioration of confidence in the chair, we find our position as commissioners under his leadership no longer tenable. Consequently we regret to announce our resignation from the commission with immediate effect,” they concluded.

Their resignation means that Chebukati has been left with only two commissioners, Prof. Abdi Yakub Guliye and Boya Molu.

The first to quit was Roselyn Akombe who shocked many when she resigned just days to the repeat presidential poll and the suspension.