Troubled IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati has maintained that the scheduled by-elections in Kinondo ward in Kwale County and Ruguru in Nyeri will go on as planned despite the challenges facing the poll body.
Mr Chebukati stated that the presiding officers had already been appointed and gazetted thus the exercise will be carried out as earlier announced.
His sentiments were echoed by IEBC Communications Manager Andrew Limo who confirmed that training of the officials who will oversee the process had been concluded on Monday.
“We have concluded the training of clerks who will conduct the two by-elections in Kinondo and Ruguru wards,” he remarked.
[caption caption="Andrew Limo"]
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On Tuesday, reports indicated that security detail attached to Chebukati and two other commissioners had been withdrawn in unclear circumstances.
Limo outlined that the security personnel including armed drivers were taken away from the chairman, commissioner Boya Molu and Prof Ayub Guliye on Tuesday morning.
"The withdrawal of security is likely to expose the Chairman and the Commissioners at risk.
"The action undermines the effectiveness in executing the work of the Commission," the statement read in part.
Since the resignation of Consolata Maina, Margaret Mwachanya, and Paul Kurgat, the IEBC boss has been asked to follow suit by several politicians.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria described him as, 'the most dithering and flip-flopping Chairman that our electoral management body has ever had.'
The legislator further blamed Chebukati's indecisiveness for almost plunging Kenya into constitutional turmoil.
[caption caption="Moses Kuria"]
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