Deputy President William Ruto has been linked to the recent infighting and resignations at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) by National Super Alliance (NASA) Chief Executive Norman Magaya.
Magaya claimed that the three commissioners who resigned on Monday; Consolata Maina, Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat were part of a 'Ruto wing' at the commission that was acting on the DP's instructions.
He further alleged that Ruto wanted suspended IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba back at the commission's helm by all means.
"The Ruto wing of IEBC has quite simply because Ruto wants Chiloba back by all means. It is either Chiloba is reinstated or the entire commission goes down. Savage I must say," Magaya tweeted.
Magaya proposed that in future, political parties be tasked with nominating IEBC commissioners.
[caption caption="NASA CEO Norman Magaya"]
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"Henceforth, political parties should nominate IEBC Commissioners. Neutrality & impartiality in Kenyan electoral process is a fallacy. Every Kenyan has an entrenched political inclination... Let's stop the lie," he continued.
Chiloba was handed a three-month suspension by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati ‘to allow audit of the 2017 election financial processes’.
He moved to court seeking to overturn the decision but the Employment and Labour Relations Court failed to rule in his favour.
Justice Steve Radido noted that Chiloba would suffer no prejudice as he would still receive his salary and remuneration benefits.
"The only prejudice to be suffered is the fact that Mr Chiloba will not be able to go to the office, therefore, court declines to issue the said orders," he ruled.
The move to suspend Chiloba split the commission down the middle with the commissioners who resigned citing lack of confidence in Chebukati.
"The Commission Chair has failed to be the steady and stable hand that steers the ship in difficult times and gives directions when needed," they noted in a statement.
[caption caption="Paul Kurgat, Margaret Mwachanya and Connie Maina"]
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