Nominee promises to clean up electoral commission

The nominee for the position of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman has promised to clean up the agency to ensure credibility in future elections.

Mr Wafula Chebukati, who on Tuesday appeared before the National Assembly’s Justice and Legal Affairs Committee for vetting, said he would seek to end the violence that usually follows elections by ensuring that “every vote counts”, making losers concede defeat as they would feel they had lost fairly.

“The IEBC is facing many uncertainties, including lack of trust among Kenyans. We need to clean up the system and the voters register. The electronic system should be tested three to four times before the elections to ensure it works smoothly,” he said.

Mr Chebukati was the first before the committee, which also interviewed three nominees for commissioner positions. Three others are expected to be vetted on Wednesday. Those vetted on Tuesday by the committee chaired by Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkong’a were Ms Consolata Nkatha Bucha Maina; Mr Boya Molu; and Dr Roselyne Kwamboka Akombe, who impressed MPs with her wide experience in electoral matters on the continent and beyond.

Mr Chebukati was asked about claims that he was picked ahead of another nominee, Mr Tukero ole Kina, who is said to have scored higher marks during interviews; possible conflict of interest given that IEBC chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba comes from the same county as him; and any past professional misconduct.

Borabu MP Ben Momanyi asked: “Did you lobby for the job or got it by sheer luck given that you were second best in the scoring?”

“I have no idea of the marking scheme and up to now I have no idea how I scored. I did not talk to anyone and no one talked to me,” replied Mr Chebukati.

The nominee, who has been a lawyer for over 30 years, also denied receiving National Youth Service (NYS) funds. He represented former Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission chairman Phillip Kinisu, one of the individuals said to have benefited from the NYS corruption scandal.

Asked by Mr Chepkong’a what he would do differently if he lands the job, Mr Chebukati said he would reform the agency since he was a transformational leader, having headed a large law firm.

On the controversial Elections Laws (Amendment) Act, signed on Monday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, Mr Chebukati said he would have to assess the level of preparedness by the IEBC in terms of the electronic system in place, before agreeing on the most appropriate complementary mechanism to be employed in case technology fails during the polls.

Ms Maina, whose nomination has in the past faced objection due to regional balance, was also put to task for lacking a bachelor’s degree, even though she has two diplomas and two master’s degrees in Public Relations and Business Administration. She said her main goal would be to rebuild trust in the commission, to ensure free and credible elections.

Mr Molu, a human resource assistant director in the Judiciary, said he would bring with him “human resource skills”.

He said even with the best technology, if IEBC staff were ill-trained, it would not work as expected.

Dr Akombe has a rich curriculum vitae. She has overseen election management in conflict-torn countries such as Burundi and Afghanistan. She said this placed her in good stead to help in conflict resolution, as the country heads to the elections.