Eva Nyambura
The Wafula Chebukati led Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has penalized four officials who allegedly leaked crucial documents about the planned bench-marking exercise in six countries.
According to a local daily, manager in charge of boundaries Caroline Manyange and two other juniour officers were interdicted as another was demoted.
The daily also reports that Chebukati’s personal secretary only identified as Susan has been asked to pack her belongings while 50 other officials are in possession of caution letters for bungling tender award for supply of ballot papers and technology.
Reports indicated that the trips to Nigeria, South Africa, USA, India, Australia and Canada would have cost the taxpayer a whooping Sh30 million.
On the schedule were Chebukati, Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu. There were also four other high ranking officers making the foreign trips whose allowances are often hefty.
While Chebukati did not refute the bench-marking trip reports, he did however take note of the tone and angling of the piece that was run by the Star.
“IEBC wishes to clarify that the story is meant to introduce negative debates on the boundaries delimitation exercise that is already an emotive and sensitive exercise,” he said, adding that a boundary review is a key mandate of the commission that must be complete by 2024.
Read: Chiloba Accuses Chebukati Of Betrayal After Being Sacked From IEBC
Last year Finance Manager Agatha Wahome and Abednego Ominde were arrested for allegedly sneaking out documents from the IEBC offices on behalf of sacked CEO Ezra Chiloba.
Wahome has since been suspended from the commission even after Chiloba vindicated her of any wrong doing.
In a statement, Chiloba said: “This is not unusual and therefore the officers should not be victimized for doing what they are supposed to do in good faith.”
Email your news TIPS to news@kahawatungu.com or WhatsApp +254708677607. You can also find us on Telegram through www.t.me/kahawatungu
