Chebukati dismisses claims that IEBC is sabotaging BBI process

Chebukati dismisses claims that IEBC is sabotaging BBI process

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebuka has dismissed claims that the electoral body is out to sabotage the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) process by deliberately delaying the signature verification exercise.

BBI secretariat co-chairman Junet Mohamed on Wednesday accused IEBC of “being part of the scheme that is sabotaging BBI” adding that “there was no internet connectivity in Bomas of Kenya on Monday and Tuesday this week which hampers the progress of the signature verification.”

In response, Chebukati acknowledged that there were internet challenges on the two days but termed the accusations of sabotage as “unfortunate” and “completely false.”

“…the Commission would like to state that the allegation that the Commission is sabotaging the process is not only unfortunate but also completely false. The process of signature verification is part of the IEBC’s mandate as articulated in Article 257 of the Constitution and therefore the Commission cannot sabotage it,” said Chebukati in a statement issued on Thursday.

“The Commission acknowledges having experienced intermittent internet connectivity challenges on the material dates at the facility occasioned by system upgrade of the bandwidth and power outages. However, the issue was formally brought to the attention of Bomas of Kenya management for quick action and the same addressed. ”

The IEBC Chairman assured that the signature verification exercise, which is being conducted at the Bomas of Kenya, is going on as expected and would be completed within the shortest time possible.

Speaking during a BBI youth forum in Nairobi on Wednesday, Junet threatened to push for the removal of the current IEBC commissioners should they not conclude the signature verification by end of January.

“Yesterday and today nothing has been happening at Bomas of Kenya. They claim they don’t have internet. When they were verifying Ekuru Aukot’s signature’s where did they get the internet. Now when they are verifying BBI signatures, they are demanding money, network and so on. I think this is a plan to sabotage the BBI,” said Junet.

“I want to tell them, we are not tired. We know how we removed the previous commissioners. If they want us to follow that path let them tell us.”

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Junet Mohamed Wafula Chebukati BBI signatures

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