Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati fails to appear before the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee aborted on Wednesday, where he was supposed to discuss all the legal reforms ahead of the 2022 general elections. Chebukati sent a letter this morning confirming he will be unable to attend because him and other officials have traveled to Rwanda honoring an invitation .
The comittee has decided to adjourn the meeting until next week Thursday hoping the commission will be back.
The committee wanted Chebukati to enlighten how the law says the three commissioner that resigned in April were not allowed to go back to work. Justice Chacha Mwita stopped Ms Consolata Maina, Ms Margaret Mwachoya and Mr Paul Kurgat from taking over their former offices until a case filed by activist Okiya Omtatah is determined.
In a statement to the newsrooms, Mr Chebukati said the three commissioners filed and submitted their clearance forms – having surrendered the commission’s assets and were cleared by the secretariat.
Additionally, he said, they each swore affidavits affirming their resignations in a petition pending before the High Court, that they had submitted their letters to the President.
In a ruling, Justice Wilfrida Okwny said the issue of the commissioners’ alleged resignation was an issue that was neither here nor there and was not proved by any tangible evidence.
For now, he said the commission is busy executing its mandate. The three among other issues, accused Chebukati of failing to offer leadership at the commission.
“The Commission Chairperson has failed to be the steady and stable hand that steers the ship in difficult times and give direction when needed,” Commissioner Mwachanya said at the time of their resignation, flanked by Nkatha and Kurgat.
By their exit, Chebukati was left with Commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye. Commissioner Roselyn Akombe had resigned a week to the October 26, repeat presidential election.