IEBC Interviews: Candidate Struggles to Explain EACC Suspension

IEBC candidate Irene Keino appearing before the selection panel on Tuesday, July 13.
IEBC candidate Irene Keino appearing before the selection panel on Tuesday, July 13.
File

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) candidate Irene Keino on Tuesday, July 13, was on the spot over her suspension as vice-chair at the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

Keino hesitated at the queries posed by panelist Morris Kimuli who put her to task over the suspension.

This prompted a back and forth between the two which led to Kimuli digging deeper to source the truth from the candidate.

Members of the selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
Members of the Selection Panel for IEBC Commissioners on May 18, 2021.
Twitter

"You filled your application and paragraph 21 required you to indicate whether you have been dismissed or removed from Parliament/ board, trusteeship.

"You were to say yes or no and provide details, you said no. You didn't think that a recommendation by Parliament for your removal is constructive dismissal from office?"

(Hesitating at first) "I sought counsel from legal minds who advised that unless a removal had been done to the conclusion, it does not tie into the removal, you are a lawyer so you need to help me with this," Keino addressed the panelists. 

"Did you think someone who has been removed from one commission for ethical failures is suitable to join another commission?" Kimuli enquired further.

"I think all avenues have to be exhausted first and... " the candidate hesitated to give the response.

Keino and then chairperson Mumo Matemu had been suspended by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2015 over alleged ethical issues.

The suspension ensued after Parliament had recommended the appointment of a tribunal to investigate her and Matemu over ethical allegations. They, however, opted to resign before the process could be concluded. 

The IEBC interviews have been full of intrigues with the candidates been put to task as the selection panel looks to get the best suitable candidates to become IEBC commissioners. 

The interviews are slated to end on Thursday, July 22.

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and President Uhuru Kenyatta at the IEBC National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, August 11, 2017, when Uhuru was announced winner of the presidential election.jpg
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and President Uhuru Kenyatta at the IEBC National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi, August 11, 2017, when Uhuru was declared winner of the presidential election.jpg
File

 

  • .