Incessant wrangles damaging IEBC’s credibility, stabilise it

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continues to attract negative publicity. This follows unconfirmed reports that embattled Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba had finally been shown the door. The report, however, was later discounted by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.

Nevertheless, Chebukati’s denial does not detract the fact that IEBC is a deeply disjointed house in dire need of mending. Trouble at IEBC began following the resignation of Commissioner Roselyn Akombe in October 2017, citing "irreconcilable differences" among commissioners that had inhibited work at the commission. This view appeared to be vindicated by Mr Chebukati’s fear shortly before the October 26 repeat presidential election that the organisation he leads, could not possibly conduct free and fair elections.