IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati has defended the decision to send CEO Ezra Chiloba on a compulsory leave, saying that a financial audit must be done to account for the financial outlay after last year’s general election. Addressing the press in Nairobi, Chebukati said Ezra Chiloba’s suspension is solely due to financial auditing and accountability as stipulated in the electoral review process. “The commission must be allowed to carry out a conclusive audit of its public resources without interference. Mr Chiloba continues to enjoy benefits as he paves the way for an audit and if found culpable he will be subjected to disciplinary proceedings according to the law,” he said.
He further divulged that IEBC commissioners, in their oversight role, raised concerns with certain contracts in relation to last year’s general election and an internal audit was done. Meetings were scheduled, after which, it was unanimously agreed that the CEO had to pave way for a thorough audit to be done. Chebukati said everyone in the commission has his or her assigned role and the issue of financial management falls into the hands of the CEO.
The IEBC chair said the three commissioners who resigned haven’t officially communicated to the commission, “We only learnt of the resignation through the media,” said Chebukati, adding that the claims of the three commissioners are misleading. There have been calls for Chebukati and the remaining commissioners to resign, to pave the way for the constituting of a new IEBC team, and the commissioners who resigned cited his lack of leadership qualities, especially during troubling times.
However, the IEBC chair reiterated he is committed to the commission and Kenyans, “In my first year as chairman I led the commission not just with professionalism but also with dedication when it seemed impossible to provide the required leadership,” adding that he stood by the commission when they came under sharp scrutiny. He urged Kenyans to desist from slandering him and the commissioners, saying it’s in bad taste.