Calls for us to quit affecting us, says IEBC commissioner

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commissioners (IEBC) will give an official statement regarding calls to have them leave office "at the right time", says agency's vice chairperson Lillian Mahiri-Zaja.

Speaking in Mombasa on Friday, Ms Zaja said she was aware of reports that some commissioners had written to President Uhuru Kenyatta declaring their readiness to quit.

But speaking on the sidelines of a meeting with the Parliamentary Committee on Delegated Legislation, she declined to divulge further information regarding issues concerning the fate of the commissioners.

However, Ms Zaja confessed that the controversies revolving around calls to have them quit has affected commissioners individually.

She declined to comment on whether the commissioners met to deliberate on the issue and whether it has split IEBC over those who wish to stay put or quit.

“We are human beings, we are affected. I have no comment for now,” said Ms Zaja on the sidelines of the meeting with at Pride Inn Paradise Hotel in Shanzu.

Four commissioners are said to have offered to resign just as Parliament is getting ready for talks on future of the agency after Opposition demands that all nine commissioners be sent home.

Commissioner Kule Galma Godana, said to be among the four who have offered to resign, was also present at the meeting but did not talk to the media.

As part of their condition for resigning, the four have asked to be paid cumulative sum of salaries they would have earned had they served their full term.

They also want to be paid gratuity for the work they have done and additional payment as compensation because they feel their reputations have been damaged.

PARLIAMENTARY MEETING

Separately, the chairman of the parliamentary committee, Mr William Cheptumo, said they have had “serious” discussions with IEBC on regulations on campaign financing in the coming General Election.

Mr Cheptumo said campaigns are expensive hence there is need for the coming General Election campaigns to be conducted in an orderly manner.

“The regulations will be subjected to public participation,” said Mr Cheptumo, adding that IEBC is functioning and would not entertain discussions regarding the commissioners.

The Baringo North MP said there is a functional IEBC and that other issues are not in the agenda of the Mombasa meeting.

He described the IEBC issue regarding the commissioners as processes being discussed in parliament.

Ruaraka MP Tom Kajwang, also a member of the committee, said deliberations at the meeting have nothing to do with IEBC commissioners.

Mr Kajwang said the issues regarding the commissioners are delicate and that discussions concerning them are being held elsewhere.

“They are not things to be discussed in public,” said Mr Kajwang.

(Editing by Joel Muinde)