Why Chebukati suspended IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati (left) and CEO Ezra Chiloba during a past function. Chiloba has been suspended over procurement issues. [File, Standard]

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati has suspended the commission’s CEO Ezra Chiloba.

Chiloba has been sent on three-month compulsory.

IEBC Communication Manager Andrew Limo told Standard Digital that he was aware Chiloba was served with the leave notice.

“I understand there is a letter on CEO's suspension touching on procurement issues, but I have not yet seen it,” he told Standard Digital on phone.

Standard Digital’s effort to get Chiloba’s comment on the matter were futile.

In October 2017, Chiloba bowed to pressure and took a three week break during the repeat presidential elections.

He had been under tremendous pressure from the National Super Alliance (NASA) to resign, with Raila Odinga calling for street protests to force him and other officials out of office.

Raila and other NASA leaders accused them of mismanaging the August 8, 2017 elections that would be nullified by the Supreme Court.

At the time, Chiloba’s decision to go on leave exposed cracks within the poll commission with some backing the calls for his resignation.

More to follow.