Mudavadi accuses former IEBC commissioners of mischief

Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi has accused former IEBC commissioners, who resumed duty on Friday, of plotting to conceal irregularities committed during their tenure.

Speaking in Vihiga County on Saturday, Mr Mudavadi said a report by the Auditor General had revealed irregular procurement of gadgets adding that the return of the commissioners who had resigned more than three months ago is fishy.

Commissioners Connie Maina and Margaret Mwachanya resigned in April and termed the Commission chairman Mr Wafula Chebukati inept in the running of the Commission.

"It is this irregularity they want to conceal. Auditor General has just released a report showing IEBC procured gadgets worth Sh900 million but the gadgets were never used," said Mr Mudavadi during the homecoming party of Vihiga MP Ernest Ogesi.

RUNNING BACK

He added: "They are running back to IEBC to block this. They want to conceal the report."

Mr Mudavadi said the three commissioners showed disrespect to their chairman and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

He wondered how the commissioners could abscond duty for five months and "just return to work" without any due process.

The ANC leader called on Parliament to consider "punishing the commissioners".

Speaking during the same event, Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi took issue with a section of leaders from western Kenya opposed to the unity call.

UNITY CALL

On Saturday, Kakamega Senator Cleopas Malala, Nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and a host of other leaders poured cold water on the call that is being spearheaded by Mr Mudavadi.

Ford Kenya leader Moses Wetang'ula, Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka and Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa are also pushing the bid to unite the region ahead of the 2022 polls. 

The three have vowed to present one presidential candidate in the coming general election that is four years away.

But Mr Malala said the plan by the three was aimed at deceiving Mr Mudavadi into supporting Deputy President William Ruto.

Mr Malala said the plan (Luhya unity call) was an extension of Mr Ruto's campaign team.

JOINING WILLIAM RUTO

"Those championing for Luhya unity are focused on joining William Ruto. Lusaka, Eugene and (Mumias East MP Ben) Washiali are keen on getting Mudavadi into Ruto's camp," said Mr Malala.

He added: "Ruto is not our option. It is time young leaders from this region should seek the national leadership."

On his part Mr Osotsi, who was with Mr Malala, complained that the community lacked strategy to win polls and had resorted to lying it on Luhya unity.

EMBRACE HANDSHAKE

The MP instead called on the residents to embrace the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga.

Governor Oparanya termed the unity call as a tired process that had taken long to be realised.

He asked leaders to unite for the sake of development and not politics. The governor campaigned for the newly formed Lake Region Economic Bloc saying it was the hope for the region.