Chebukati: IEBC audit report confirms procurement irregularities

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has finalised a report on what went wrong with the procurement of election materials in 2017.

In a press statement signed by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati, the body said that it has concluded the internal audit on major procurement of goods and services for last year’s elections.

The report, commissioned in April and which was the basis on which the electoral body’s CEO Ezra Chiloba was sent on compulsory leave, was meant to confirm if procurement of goods and services for the August 8 General Election and repeat presidential poll was in accordance with procurement laws.

“The report confirms the concerns raised by plenary prior to commissioning of the audit,” reads the statement.

“The report informs internal actions the commission will take in terms of dealing with issues raised.”

Chebukati says the report will be forwarded to relevant agencies for necessary action.

Mr. Chiloba was sent on a  compulsory leave before it was revised into suspension after IEBC commissioners Wafula Chebukati, Boya Molu and Prof. Abdi Guliye voted to “allow for a comprehensive audit of all major procurement relating to the 2017 general and fresh presidential elections.”

Mr. Chebukati, said the audit largely targeted technology and communication systems procured for the elections.

The sourcing of the Ksh.3.8 billion Kenya Integrated Elections Management System (KIEMS kit) was one of the biggest controversies, with opposition MPs claiming top Jubilee and IEBC officials received a Ksh.200 million bribe to award the tender for the 2017 elections to French firm OT Morpho.