Tension at IEBC as 25 top officials cornered over missing Sh4.2 Billion

janet ndila

October 20, 2018 10:10 AM

Crackdown at IEBC after Chiloba's exit

File image of former IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati taking the oath of office

A week after Ezra Chiloba was shown the door at IEBC, the fate of 25 more senior officials at the commission hangs in the balance over a SH 4.2 billion scandal.

The commission has written to the 25 individuals to explain their role in questionable expenditures amounting to Sh 4.2 Billion after an audit commissioned by Wafula Chebukati unearthed questionable dealings that suggest that the taxpayer was given a raw deal.

Among those who have been issued with the letters is Ann Njeri Nderitu, the manager for Electoral Training, who is currently serving as the Registrar of Political Parties in acting capacity.

Reports indicate that others who received the letters are officials who sat in the tender evaluation committees or the inspection and acceptance committees.

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The letter which reports indicate were signed by acting CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan could see more staff axed i a bid to fix runaway corruption at the commission, going by the results of the audit.

The audit report which was challenged by 3 commissioners who resigned early this year implicated several departments including directorates of supply chain management, finance, ICT, voter registration and election operations as well as legal and public affairs.

In a clear message that he is keen on redeeming the image of the embattled institution, IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati declared that “Those who were involved in inflating the cost of elections, whoever they are, whether they are staff, commissioners or even myself, they should be arrested”.

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According to an audit report by Auditor General Edward Ouko, the commission cannot account for Sh. 9.2 Billion awarded during the last general elections that was the most expensive in Kenya’s history.

Despite the high cost, the commission failed to deliver an election that meets the constitutional requirements with the results being annulled by the Supreme Court.

janet ndila