Presiding over the IEBC, whether as Chairman or CEO is arguably one of the most perilous jobs in Kenya.
Apart from your reputation being besmirched by warring politicians, you can be hounded out of office unceremoniously based on hollow accusations.
That said, should IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba bulk under politically engineered crises? I believe when he took up the role, he was cognisant that public service is not for the faint at heart. Caving in under boardroom engineered machinations is thus not an option.
Chiloba should, therefore, bite the bullet and strengthen IEBC. The IEBC needs to extricate itself from being in a perpetual transition limbo that impacts on its operational efficiency.
If we are to strengthen the institutions enshrined in our Constitution, we cannot be dissolving them to appease and reward despotic mind-sets.
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After turning its cheeks wilfully, time and again, to the perennial rumble rousers who have memorised the IEBC disbandment chorus, IEBC has to put its foot down.
About Sh50 billion has been spent on the just-concluded election. The country spent Sh330 million to send home commissioners forced out of office on contrived accusations through bloody demonstrations.
An additional Sh120 million was lost through destruction of property in demonstrations prior to the 2017 elections.
If this unwarranted vilification of commissioners becomes a norm, no professional of sane mind will ever sign up for a job at the IEBC in future.
