IEBC Commissioner Dr Roselyn Akombe who was detained at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Tuesday night has refuted claims that she was fleeing the country due to questions raised about the credibility of the August elections.
In a statement, Dr Akombe explained that she was on official duty to the United States and that she would continue working with her colleagues on the next stages of the electoral process.
“I am deeply concerned at statements attributed to me on my departure from Nairobi. They are completely false and unwarranted. While it is unfortunate that my departure was delayed, I at no time indicated that I am fleeing my beloved Kenya due to questions raised on my credibility of our electoral process.
I am on official duty to the United States and will return to continue working with my colleagues on the next stages of our electoral process,” she stated.
On Tuesday night, Dr Akombe was momentarily blocked from boarding a flight to the US and was forced to spend a few hours at the VIP lounge at the airport after immigration officers refused to clear her citing 'instructions from above.'
According to The Standard, Akombe was scheduled to depart for New York using Emirates Airlines at 10.45 pm via Dubai but couldn’t go past the Immigration desk.
She had already checked in and was given a boarding pass but her luggage was disembarked from the plane.
Citizen TV reported that the IEBC commissioner had been barred from travelling for failure to produce clearance from the Head of Public Service.
She was, however, cleared on Wednesday morning and the IEBC says Government officials involved in the incident had apologised.
