IEBC bosses to answer to claims as House team defends its legitimacy

Electoral commissioners led by Chairman Issack Hassan (second left), his deputy Lilian Mahiri-Zaja (second right), CEO Ezra Chiloba (left) and Commissioner Thomas Letangule before the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on IEBC at County Hall, Nairobi, yesterday. (PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/STANDARD)

Election officials will personally answer to allegations against them after MPs rejected their bid to stall a parliamentary probe into their conduct. But the electoral commissioners’ preliminary challenge to the legitimacy of the parliamentary select committee gave a glimpse into a looming court battle in the event it recommends their ouster.

The stand by the officials of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was compelling enough to force a four-hour adjournment after which the committee gave its verdict.