A new dawn as Parliament approves IEBC officials

Advocate, Wanyonyi Wafula Chebukati, the proposed candidate to head the Interim electoral and boundaries commission (IEBC) has been appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta bringing an end to the search of the IEBC chair.

Chebukati was approved by Parliament on Tuesday as the IEBC chairman in a hotly contested debate clearing the last hurdle to chair IEBC.

The MPs also approved Dr. Paul Kurgat, Dr. Roselyn Akombe, Consolata Nkatha, Bucha Maina, Boya Molu, Margaret Wanjala Mwachanya and Abdi Guliye as IEBC commissioners as proposed by President Uhuru.

The seven form the new team replacing former IEBC chairman, Issack Hassan and his team of commissioners who resigned in October last year.

A heated debate ensued in the National Assembly during his hearing; after some MPs raised a storm claiming Chebukati was not fit for the job following a petition raised questioning his integrity.

Yesterday Chebukati’s team got another boost after the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader, Raila Odinga, affirmed his support for the new look Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying he believes it will be unbiased in the ongoing voters registration exercise and thereafter conduct free, fair and transparent election on August 8, 2017.

Following the green light by parliament, President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the bill into law, officially appointing Wafula Chebukati as the new IEBC chairman.

Uhuru also appointed the commissioners approved by parliament to replaced Issack Hassan’s team of commissioners

In a statement to media houses on Wednesday, Uhuru congratulated the new officials and expressed confidence that they will deliver their mandate.

He urged all Kenyans to support the team tasked with managing the August 8 general election, amid claims of possible rigging.

Among the urgent issue the new IEBC officials have to addressed as soon as possible include the ongoing final voter registration, registration of voters in the diaspora who are expected to vote for the first time in Kenyan history, audit of the voter register and opening of tenders for the acquisition of an integrated electoral management system.

Wafula Chebukati Profile

Chebukati has extensive experience in the legal industry having practiced law for 30 years.

He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Nairobi where he graduated in 1985.

Chebukati was born in 1961 and was admitted to the roll of Advocates in 1986.

He is also the head of Commercial labour and Employment Laws divisions, Landlord / Tenant and Conveyancing & treaties and has served as a Council member of the law society of Kenya.

Chebukati loves playing golf and he is the captain and chairman of both Mombasa and Nyali Golf club. He is also a committee member of the Kenya Golf union.