The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC ) has re-advertised the Chief Executive Officer position after a few Kenyans applied to replace the former CEO Ezra Chiloba.
The notice was published in local newspapers on Tuesday re-advertising the post as well as informing those who had applied earlier to repeat the process as indicated in the IEBC website.
In addition, the deadline for aspirants was also extended to June 3, 2019, giving more time for new applicants.
This follows the sacking of Ezra Chiloba on October 12, 2018, for failing to honour summons to appear before a disciplinary committee over audit queries.
Chiloba’s job was first advertised on January 18 and applicants were to apply by 31st of the same month, but the resulting poor turnout called for new applications.
This raised questions as to why applicants were shying away from the position which brought to light the misfortunes that have befallen IEBC senior officials that could be jinxing this luxurious post.
In the months leading to Chiloba’s sacking, former IEBC commissioner Dr. Roseline Akombe resigned, and after six months Connie Nkatha, Margaret Mwachanya, and Paul Kurgat followed in Dr. Akombe’s footsteps.
This left a despaired IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati with a tight ship of only two commissioners to work with.
This ended up in Chiloba and Chebukati rubbing shoulders with the former claiming that there was a “major governance crisis” at IEBC that would apparently even affect the next office holder.
In February, the National Assembly’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recommended that the commission be disbanded and criminal proceedings instituted on both serving and former commissioners.
Chebukati has been indicted in the audit for alleged conflict of interest with a law firm that he founded.
As for Chiloba, the audit report directed that he be probed for the unprocedural signing off over Ksh4 billion worth of contracts for IEBC without contractors providing performance guarantees.
The commission also recommended that Chiloba be further investigated and if found at fault, criminal proceedings be instituted against him.
