Judge Hellen Wasilwa temporarily stops recruitment of new IEBC CEO

Chebukati suffers blow after latest court decision

Mark Mwithaga

March 29, 2019 10:24 AM

This will not continue

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati

The Employment and labour court on Thursday stopped the recruitment exercise being done by Independent and Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati.

Judge Hellen Wasilwa halted by the process of looking for a new CEO for the body after she ruled that the advertisement of the position needs to be inspected due to it having more provisions than what is required by law.

Judge Hellen Wasilwa during a past court session Pulse Live Kenya

The decision by Wasilwa was as a result of a petition filed by Henry Matundu over irregularities made in the public notice by Chebukati.

Matundu through the papers presented in court noted that the requirement of a 15 year experience is contrary to that provided in section 10 of the IEBC Act which states that a candidate is required a minimum of five years of experience.

He further explained that the recruitment process was not open, transparent or competitive as demanded by the constitution.

Matundu, who hails from Machakos County, pointed out that the provision that one should be at a senior level of management in the public sector was unfair as it went against article 27 of the constitution.

According to the man, that requirement would deny qualified Kenyans a chance to apply for the job.

Chiloba fired by IEBC

Three months ago, the job was announced by the IEBC chairman after the then CEO Ezra Chiloba was fired by the electoral body.

Chiloba had argued that his termination had been predetermined and was discriminatory.