IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati has asked all IEBC officials who have been adversely mentioned in relation to election irregularities to step down.
Speaking from the Bomas of Kenya, the national tallying centre, the Chairman conveyed that the move would be necessary if at all the October 26 repeat poll will be held as scheduled.
"I've made several attempts to make critical changes but all my motions have been defeated by a majority of the Commissioners.
"Under such conditions, it is difficult to guarantee free, fair and credible elections. Without critical changes in key Secretariat staff, elections will surely be compromised. I, therefore, ask officials who have been adversely mentioned to step aside to enable the project team to function without interference," he urged.
[caption caption="Dr Akombe with IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and Vice Chairperson Consolata Nkatha"]
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A clearly frustrated Chairman admitted that his team is not in a position to deliver a credible election citing interference by political parties.
"My fellow Kenyans, we are faced with a dilemma as a country. One between the status of operational preparedness and the political environment for credible elections," he stated.
"From an operational angle, we are prepared. While I want to confirm to you our full technical preparedness for this election, I want to state categorically that I shall not go down in history as a National Returning Officer who plunged the country into a further crisis than I found it," he declared.
Mr Chebukati statement confirmed assertions made by former Commissioner Roselyn Akombe who quit on Wednesday.
Read More: IEBC Commissioner Roselyn Akombe Quits
Commenting on Dr Akombe's resignation, Mr Chebukati stated that it was regrettable that the commission had lost one of its best officials.
"She worked diligently and was driven by nothing but love for her country and a wanting to see democracy thrive in Kenya. She is one of our finest brains and it is very sad that we could not provide an environment for such minds to find full expression of their work without fear of their lives," Chebukati stated.
[caption caption="IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati"]
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The IEBC boss also took a hard stance against politicians hell-bent on interfering with IEBC operations announcing that they had all been given an ultimatum.
"I am giving all politicians in the country a 'yellow card'. I will not tolerate threats to my officials anymore. I will not tolerate interference with the commission anymore, Kenyans are paying a lot of money for this election and I will not let their money go to waste," Chebukati warned.
He urged President Uhuru Kenyatta and his rival, NASA leader Raila Odinga to embrace amicable talks and promised to organise an opportunity for the two to meet.
Chebukati also disappointed many who had perceived that he would resign by stating that he was firmly in the Commission.
