Aden Duale Blasts ODM For Plotting Chebukati's Ouster

Garissa MP Aden Duale.
Garissa MP Aden Duale.
File

Garissa Township Member of Parliament, Aden Duale, has blasted his Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) counterparts for plotting to oust the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair, Wafula Chebukati.

In a lengthy Tweet thread, Duale accused ODM Members of acting in fear of losing the upcoming General Election.

He explained that the electoral agency's commissioners can not be removed from office unless there are substantive grounds to warrant a last-minute removal.

Garissa Town MP Aden Duale
Garissa Town MP Aden Duale.
Twitter

"This is indeed interesting and quite unfortunate that every time the country is headed to a General Election, either due to fear of losing or otherwise, political players start singing the song of removing the Chairman of IEBC and its commissioners," the MP tweeted.

Referencing the Kriegler Report, Duale argued that changes to the electoral commission should be instituted very carefully and systematically.

"...the Independent Review Commission led by the former S.A. Judge, Johann Kriegler, which investigated the aftermath of the 2007 General Election made various recommendations which inform our electoral process to date," he added.

Duale also wondered why ODM and other leaders calling for Chebukati's removal were silent for four years, the duration in which the IEBC chair has been in office.

"Where have all those calling for the removal of Mr Chebukati been for 4 years now since he was appointed in 2017? Have they discovered now that Mr Chebukati is not fit to hold office? Certainly not possible. It defeats logic," he remarked.

His sentiments were echoed by Kericho Senator, Aaron Cheruiyot, who noted that the tune by ODM members is not new.

The Senator opined that the lawmakers usually cast doubt on the electoral agency as the General Election approaches and later cry wolf when they do not win.

Led by Homa Bay Woman Representative, Gladys Wanga, ODM members initiated calls to oust Chebukati stating that the party does not have faith in the Chairperson following the nullification of the 2017 presidential election.

The talk to kick out Chebukati was the dominant topic during the burial of Mzee David Ajwang Nyakwamba, father of Ruaraka Member of Parliament TJ Kajwang and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang, that took place on Friday, August 13.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi told the IEBC chair to halt all the Election Operation Plans (EOP) until all the other commissioners are sworn in.

His sentiments were echoed by Kisumu Senator, Fred Outa, who argued that IEBC should stop everything until the other commissioners assume office. He further castigated the commission for presenting a ballooned budget.

Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga
Homa Bay Woman Representative Gladys Wanga addresses MPs on Friday, July 17, 2020.