ODM MPs tear into Issack Hassan over IEBC tenure

Orange Democratic Movement leaders on Thursday led an onslaught on beleaguered IEBC chair Issack Hassan over his continued stay at the helm of the electoral body.

The MPs read mischief in Mr Hassan’s remarks on Wednesday that he is now free to plan for the 2017 elections after being cleared by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), saying the IEBC chair should not even think of staying put.

“Mr Hassan should know that there is no way there will be an election in Kenya in 2017 if he is still in the commission. The only thing left for him to do is park and go,” said ODM chair and Suba MP John Mbadi.

EACC on Tuesday cleared Mr Hassan over allegations that he received Sh50 million as a bribe in the issuance of tender for the delivery of BVR kits and ballot papers.

Homabay Women Representatives Gladys Wanga said IEBC chair Hassan and his team should not only leave office but also be arrested for alleged links to the Chickengate scandal.

Investigations by UK’s Serious Fraud Unit into the dealings with UK Firm Smith & Ouzman executives revealed that the Kenyan electoral and examination officials allegedly received bribes code-named ‘chicken’ through their agent, Trevy Oyombra to receive lucrative printing tenders.

Similar sentiments were made by Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang, Embakasi South MP Irshad Sumra, Nairobi ODM chair George Aladwa among others who spoke at the rally.

On the debate over the election date, MP Wanga warned the government against making any changes to the earlier announced dates.

“We would like to warn Jubilee against any attempts to change the election dates. We know there plan is to stay in power longer and we will not accept that,” she said.

A local daily had on Wednesday stated that Attorney General Githu Muigai was planning to change the dates of elections from August, 8, 2017 to allow proper preparations for the polls.

Muigai had told a select committee on IEBC issues that an extension of the dates did not require a referendum and can be done through Parliament.

The remarks have elicited sharp reactions from the opposition who see it as a plot to extend the terms of the president and stall the next elections.