IEBC officials on Tuesday told the parliament how ex-CEO Ezra Chiloba cost the commission Ksh6 billion after he solely authorized the purchase of Kenya Integrated Election Management Systems kit.
The team led by the poll body’s acting CEO Marjan Hussein made the damning allegation during a grilling session with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
"Chiloba was the accounting officer at the time and as I recall he ignored advise from other members of the secretariat regarding procuring of services and goods needed to make the election a success," he added.
This loss of funds was incurred during 2017 General Election and the repeat presidential election.
Following the revelation, the MPs unanimously agreed that Chiloba should appear before the committee as a witness to respond to the weighty issues levelled against him.
"It is very important that Chiloba appears before us so that he can shed light on the issues raised by his former colleagues.
"From wherever he is listening or watching he can appear before us as earlier as Wednesday morning before we formally invite him," PAC chairperson Opiyo Wandayi stated.
For instance, the payment of vouchers amounting to Ksh436 million by IEBC to various lawyers representing them in various court cases was without sufficient evidence to back it up.
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed indicated that without evidence to support the millions of payments made, the committee would conclude that funds were looted.
"The public whose money was used by IEBC must be convinced with evidence that their money was used well," Junet added.
"Wafula Chebukati must appear before us in our next meeting to elaborate on the audit queries raised," Wandayi concluded.
