Independence Electoral Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati’s tenure at the electoral body may be coming to an end.
However, the 60-year-old lawyer is not ready to let go and could be secretly reaching out for Raila’s men to save his job. Having held the position from January 2017, Chebukati is in this awkward position following a declaration of vacancy by President Uhuru on four out of the six commissioner positions.
In a gazette notice dated April 14, 2021, President Uhuru declared positions previously held by Commissioners Roselyn Akombe, Margaret Mwachanya, Paul Kurgat, and Consolata Nkatha vacant.
According to multiple sources, partisan interest has taken a center stage and will determine Chebukati’s fate at the Commission. Even though senior leaders, from both Uhuru and Raila’s camp, want the entire IEBC leadership overhauled, there are those citing the law and say Chebukati should remain the commission’s chair.
One of the BBI pillars has been electoral reforms and kicking out the commissioners for new ones is part of the BBI agenda.
“I can say this with authority that the process of recruiting new commissioners will pave way for the sacking of the current team, and then we will get to the crux of the matter of reforming the commission,” senior ODM official told a local publication on Monday.
Deputy President William Ruto’s allies led by former Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale, who reveals they will defend Wafula Chebukati against partisan political interests. And blackmail.
