Chiloba’s office locks changed, secretary and PA sent home

Embattled Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) CEO Ezra Chiloba appears to be an unwanted man at the electoral body.

Citizen TV has learnt that the locks on Chiloba’s office at the Anniversary Towers have been changed and he may not access it even if he were to return.

Chiloba is said to have been preparing to resume duty next week after the Employment and Labour Relations Court ruled on Thursday, that he returns to work pending the hearing and determination of a case he filed against the chairman and the commission.

He had challenged his being sent on compulsory leave by three commissioners. But even before he returned to work, IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati released a suspension letter to him, asking that he stays away for at least three months pending investigations into his role and nature of procurement for last year’s General Election and repeat presidential election.

With a lawyer representing Chiloba having expressed desire to challenge the commission’s fresh action, the commissioners have taken the battle a step ahead.

Should he dare the devil and walk to his office on 6th floor of the Anniversary Towers, Chiloba will have no access. Sources have confirmed that the locks to his office door have been changed and keys secured.

And that’s not all, officers attached to Chiloba’s office have been sent on leave. A secretary and a personal assistant suspected to have been leaking information to their boss on the progress of investigations and plans being taken.

A source at the commission indicated that Chairman Wafula Chebukati as well as Commissioners Boya Molu and Professor Abdi Guliye have resolved that Chiloba must go.

The source reported that should he return to office, a dossier will be released detailing Chiloba’s alleged misdeeds during last year’s elections procurement, and pave way for his ultimate termination from office.

But things are not all rosy at the commission. Chiloba as the lawful Accounting Officer is also a holder of the coveted Authority to incur expenditure alongside a few senior officers in the procurement department.

Since his departure more than two months ago, operations at IEBC are said to have been starved with Chebukati taking charge of crucial operational decisions.

For Chiloba though, he remains with court orders to his side, that he should return to work. He is also keen on awaiting the Auditor General’s report on last year’s election operations to prove his innocence, as the current squabbles are based on an internal audit report which he has claimed to be biased.