EACC clears IEBC chair Issack Hassan in Chickengate

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) on Tuesday exonerated electoral chairman Issack Hassan from corruption allegations in the Chickengate scandal.

However, the anti-graft body recommended criminal charges against four people, including former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chief executive James Oswago, agent Trevy Oyombra, Hamida Ali Kibwana and Kenneth Karani.

The EACC said it found "evidence of criminal culpability on the part of the four persons."

Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko said his "office would independently review the EACC report and make a decision based on the facts, evidence and the law."

(READ: ‘Chickengate’ scam suspect faces suit)

(READ: Former IIEC officers grilled over 'Chickengate' scandal)

Kenyan electoral and examination officials are alleged to have received hefty bribes, codenamed "chicken", totalling Sh52 million.

Mr Hassan was questioned by EACC sleuths on March 8 this year on the scandal but he maintained his innocence, claiming that he was not implicated in the British authorities' report and that his appearance before the investigators was largely to share what he knew in his capacity as the chairman.

“I have assured the investigators that I was not involved at all in this matter of Chickengate and that I did not ask for or receive any bribe from anybody,” the IEBC chairman said.

Pressure from the opposition Cord has been mounting on the electoral commissioners to resign over integrity issues, especially over the 'chicken' scandal.

(READ: EACC will clear me of any wrongdoing, says ex-IEBC boss)

Investigators targeted former commissioners and staff of the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).

A British government report sent to the Attorney-General had named commissioners and tender committee members who allegedly received money from Smith and Ouzman to help the firm win a ballot paper printing tender.

Mr Trevy Oyombra, the alleged mastermind of the scandal, was quizzed by EACC investigators on February 23 this year and the EACC report has now recommended criminal charges against him.

Mr Nicholas Charles Smith, 43, who was Smith & Ouzman Ltd sales and marketing director, was jailed for three years by a British Court for bribing IIEC and Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) officials to win printing contracts.

Smith’s father, Mr Christopher John Smith, 71, the chairman of the company, got an 18-month suspended term for his role in the scandal in which top electoral commission and Knec officials pocketed millions.