IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba is set to take a three-week leave from the electoral agency after the Commission Chair urged all staff adversely accused of committing irregularities to step aside.
Reports indicate that the CEO's decision to take a break was a personal move aimed at building confidence in stakeholders who had complained about Commission officials.
The Nation reported that Chiloba had discussed with the Chairman before deciding to take the leave adding that he (Chiloba) believed that even in his absence, the body would conduct a credible election because sufficient preparations had been done to address the gaps identified by the Supreme Court.
Mr Chiloba's decision to take leave comes barely five days to the repeat presidential election scheduled for Thursday, October 26th, 2017.
On Wednesday, Mr Chebukati called upon all IEBC officials adversely mentioned in the nullified presidential election to step aside.
[caption caption="File image of IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati and CEO Ezra Chiloba"]
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Speaking from the Bomas of Kenya, the Chairman conveyed that the move would be necessary if at all the October 26 repeat poll is to 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.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has been calling for the immediate resignation of Mr Chiloba and a number of other IEBC officials whom they accused of bungling the August election.
Some of the officials the Opposition wants out include; Prof Abdi Guliye, who headed the sub-committee on research, strategy and ICT, ICT director James Muhati, voter registration and electoral operations director Immaculate Kassait and head of operations Betty Nyabuto.
[caption caption="File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta and IEBC Officials at State House"]
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