Chiloba Re-Suspended Hours After Court Decision

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO Ezra Chiloba on Thursday had relief after the Employment and Labour Relations Court allowed him to resume work pending a determination of a case he filed against the Chairman and the commission.

His victory was however short-lived after the Commission through its Chairman Wafula Chebukati re-suspended him.

In a statement issued on Thursday evening and copied to Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and IEBC acting CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan, Chebukati indicated that Chiloba stands suspended to allow the completion of the on-going audit.

[caption caption="IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati"][/caption]

"We refer to the ongoing comprehensive audit of all major procurements relating to the general elections of August 8, 2017, and fresh presidential elections held on October 26, 2017, and the ruling dated June 14, 2018, made pursuant to Petition 29 of 2018 Ezra Chiloba versus Wanyonyi Wafula Chebukati and 7 others," the letter reads in part.

Chebukati indicated that the decision to suspend Chiloba with immediate effect was reached after a meeting held by the Commission on Thursday, June 14.

"As you are aware, under clause 3 and 5 of your employment contract, you are responsible for the prudent financial management of the Commission finances.

"The issues under investigation are weighty and touch on your role as the accounting officer. The outcome of the in-depth audit will inform any further action by the Commission," the statement directs.

The IEBC chair further accused Chiloba of violating his employment contract by seeking legal redress against the Commission.

[caption caption="IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba with Chairman Wafula Chebukati"][/caption]

"Your employment contract prohibits you from suing the Commission while in employment and disclosing the official/classified information without the prior written consent of the Commission which you have outrightly violated. 

"Based on the foregoing reasons, you are hereby suspended with immediate effect from your duties as the Chief Executive Officer of  IEBC for a period of three months," Chebukati concluded.

Here is the letter: