IEBC writes to police boss over chiefs' security withdrawal
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The crisis at the IEBC boiled over on Monday after half of its commissioners resigned "with immediate effect".
Vice-chairperson Connie Nkatha and commissioners Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat said they had left the commission because they have no faith in chairman Wafula Chebukati and his leadership.
Kenya's Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has decried the withdrawal of security detail for the agency’s top officers.
IEBC has written to the Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet questioning the reasons for the withdrawal of security guards (including armed drivers) attached to the chairman , Mr Wafula Chebukati and commissioners Ayub Guliye and Boya Molu.
SECURITY RISK
IEBC said the move was likely to expose Mr Chebukati and the commissioners to security risk and "undermines their effectiveness in executing the work of the commission".
The crisis at the IEBC boiled over on Monday after half of its commissioners resigned "with immediate effect".
Vice-chairperson Connie Nkatha Maina and commissioners Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat said they had left the commission because they have no faith in chairman Wafula Chebukati and his leadership.
The commission, which has been at war since the lead-up to August 8, 2017 elections, has become dysfunctional due to external interference, the commissioners said in a statement read by Ms Mwachanya.
However, Mr Chebukati later said he was yet to receive resignation letters from the three commissioners.
Commissioners of independent commissions, including the electoral agency, are deemed to resigned if they communicate it in writing to the president.
“I learnt from media reports that three of my commissioners have resigned today. I am yet to receive communication on the matter,” Mr Chebukati said in a short statement at 1pm.
“The commission will give a comprehensive statement at an appropriate time".
