IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati Responds to Resignation of 3 Commissioners

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commision (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati on Monday issued a statement acknowledging the resignation of the Vice Chairperson and two commissioners from the independent body.

Mr Chebukati outlined that he had only learnt of the move by Connie Maina, Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat through the media.

In a statement released by the body, he stated: "I learnt from media reports that three of my commissioners Ms Nkatha Maina, Amb. (Dr) Paul Kurgat and Ms Margaret Mewachanya have resigned today.

"I am yet to receive formal communication on this matter. The commission will give a comprehensive statement at an appropriate time," the statement read.

[caption caption="Press statement by IEBC on resignation of Connie Maina, Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat"][/caption]

The statement signed by the IEBC Chairman was copied to the remaining commissioners, Mr Boya Molu and Dr Abdi Guliye.

The three commissioners explained that they had opted to bow out of the commission following what they termed as Mr Chebukati's failed leadership.

"The Commission Chair has failed to be the steady and stable hand that steers the ship in difficult times and gives directions when needed.

"Under the current commission leadership, we have had many instances where statements have been issued purporting to give a position of the commission, yet those statements are a misrepresentation of facts," their statement read in part.

Speaking to Citizen TV moments after her resignation, Ms Mwachanya reiterated the statement adding that she had been rendered useless at the commission as a result.

"I made the decision to resign by myself. It is difficult for me to stay at a place where I'm just there, I do nothing. My mind just told me that we could not go on like this and I decided to leave," she explained.

[caption caption="IEBC commissioners Paul Kurgat (left), Margaret Mwachanya (centre) and Nkatha Maina (right) on April 16 as they announced their resignation"][/caption]