As the clocks ticks towards the 2022 General Election, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s allies are now plotting to kick out the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chair Wafula Chebukati.
Led by Homa Bay Woman Rep Gladys Wanga, Kisumu Senator Fred Outa, and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, the leaders claim Chebukati is unfit to oversee another General Election since he failed to fairly conduct the 2017 polls which were nullified by the Supreme Court.
“Chebukati presided over a presidential election that was nullified by the Supreme Court. This was the first presidential poll to be overturned in Africa,
“I really fear if Chebukati still heads the polls body. We will consult with MPs and find a solution. We cannot allow this country to be plunged into chaos because of polls not properly conducted,” Gladys Wanga said as quoted by the Standard.
Odinga’s allies, who were speaking at the burial of Mzee David Ajwang Nyakwamba, father of Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang and Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang on Friday, August 13, further called upon Chabukati to put on hold all election preparation exercise until the commission is fully constituted.
“IEBC under Chebukati should stop everything. This includes the hiring of returning officers and the county electoral officers,
“I want IEBC to wait. They can afford to wait to be fully constituted within two to three weeks. They will then commence the process to recruit a substantive office holder as the CEO currently held by Marjan Hussein Marjan in an acting capacity,” said Ugunja MP.
In April, a source whispered to Kivumbi.co.ke that Chebukati could be kicked out before the next years’ General Election.
The source who sought anonymity claimed the plot to kick out the poll agency boss was being orchestrated by Raila Odinga’s party ODM.
“I can say this with authority that the process of recruiting new commissioners will pave way for the sacking of the current team, and then we will get to the crux of the matter of reforming the commission,” the source was quoted.
