Defiant Chebukati wants former commissioners replaced

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has urged Parliament to speed up the process of appointing new commissioners to replace the four who have since resigned.

Chebukati, who has only two commissioners left, said that they are still in office and it is up to the National Assembly to help the institution be properly constituted.

“Parliament will have to come up with legislation to spearhead the appointment of new commissioners. It is not up to us to do that, the appointing authority will have to do that, we are looking forward to them speeding up the process so that we can continue with the commission’s affairs,” he said.

A defiant Chebukati, who has been severely handicapped after three commissioners resigned on Monday, says the commission is still in operation.

“This is not a board meeting where we have to have a quorum of five, this is a meeting of the commissioner and his commissioners present with the media and we are speaking to Kenyans so we do not need a quorum of five,” he says.

“The constitution says when you have three commissioners, you are constituted as a commission.”

Mr. Chebukati, who has been under fire to resign together with the two remaining commissioners Prof. Ayub Guliye and Boya Molu, said that anybody who wants him gone will have to follow the law.

“If anybody feels he has an issue with the commission, the law is very clear on the removal of commissioners from office. They are at liberty to take that route if they so feel,” he said.

The IEBC chairman asked his critics to allow the institution to carry out a conclusive financial audit on CEO Ezra Chiloba without interference.

“The CEO Ezra Chiloba continues to enjoy his full benefits entitlement as he paves way for investigations and if found culpable he will be subjected to the law which includes a fair hearing,” said Chebukati.