Jaoko scoffs at her 'sacking' by KNCHRE commissioners

BY LUCIANNE LIMO

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and Equality (KNCHRE) Chairperson Florence Jaoko has dismissed as personal vendetta attempts by fellow commissioners to remove her from heading the institution.

Ms Jaoko said she was still the chairperson of the institution and would not resign despite efforts by seven commissioners to oust her.

"I am the chair of the commission. Any resolution or vote of no confidence against me must be captured in the commission’s process and I have not seen any," she told the Press at her office on Tuesday.

She said the commissioners acted in an unprofessional and unethical manner by moving to the media to discuss the commission’s internal affairs instead of exhausting internal mechanisms.

"I don’t know which commissioners are talking to the Press. If they chose to go to the media, then it is a personal thing and it’s a question of integrity, which I have no control over," she said.

"To discuss internal issues affecting the commission in a clandestine manner is not professional. How will the media help us?" she asked.

Staying put　

Jaoko said the commissioners have no powers to purport to have removed her as the chairperson of the commission, saying the only way is through a tribunal or parliamentary process.

She said the commissioners must lodge a complaint with the Chief Justice for him to set up a tribunal to investigate her.

Under the new Constitution, Jaoko pointed out, the chairperson and commissioners can only be removed from office through a parliamentary process.

Tension remained high at the commission’s office even as Jaoko addressed journalists at her office.

Seven commissioners were holed up in the boardroom before calling a parallel press briefing outside the building.

Commissioners Lawrence Mute, Hassan Omar, Fatuma Ibrahim and Fatuma Dullo maintained they removed Jaoko as the chairperson, but told journalists they would issue a comprehensive statement on Wednesday.

The commissioners held a meeting on Monday where they allegedly removed her by a vote of no confidence.

They claimed the commission does not have the right leadership and is no longer vibrant as compared to when it was headed by former chair Maina Kiai.

Jaoko, however, dismissed those claims saying the commission is on track and her leadership skills cannot be compared with others.