A section of NASA-allied lawmakers has renewed the coalition's push for electoral reforms following the resignation of 3 commissioners leaving the commission without quorum to transact any business.
Led by Lugari MP Ayub Savula and his Khwisero counterpart Christopher Aseka, the leaders stated that the resignations of commissioners Connie Maina (Vice-Chair), Margaret Mwachanya and Paul Kurgat had vindicated them after they called for an overhaul of the commission last year claiming it was compromised.
With IEBC Chief Executive Ezra Chiloba suspended for three months to allow for an audit into “procurement issues” to do with the 2017 poll, the MPs called for thorough investigations demanding that those found to have mismanaged public funds be surcharged and dragged to court.
"If there was mismanagement in the procurement process, those responsible should be surcharged and taken to court for wastage of public funds," Savula stated.
NASA staged major demonstrations after the results of the August 8 election were nullified by the Supreme Court demanding the removal of Chiloba as they accused him of working for President Uhuru Kenyatta's Jubilee Party.
A defiant Chiloba remained in the position but took a 3-month leave barely a week to the repeat poll which was boycotted by NASA leader Raila Odinga.
"The Supreme Court had ruled that the August 8 election was not conducted well and the responsibility had fallen squarely on the IEBC team that refused to step down.
"We were always right as NASA when we boycotted the repeat presidential election in October and called for electoral reform,” Savula asserted.
The decision to oust Chiloba upon his return exposed a rift within the commission as Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Prof Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu backed the move.
[caption caption="Ayub Savula"]
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The Employment and Labour Relations Court refused to rule in Chiloba's favour after he filed a case challenging the decision, with the judge stating he would suffer no prejudice as a result of the decision.
The commisioners who resigned cited a lack of confidence in Chebukati's leadership following Chiloba's axing.
In a rejoinder, Chebukati stated that they could have called for a review of the plenary decision instead of calling it quit.
[caption caption="NASA supporters protesting against IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba in 2017"]
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