Chiloba speaks after arrest of IEBC Finance Director and his personal aide

IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba when he appeared before the National Assembly Public Accounts Committee at Parliament on Tuesday 20/03/18. He has confessed that he sent two IEBC officials to get him files from IEBC. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Police have arrested Acting IEBC Finance Director Agatha Wahome and Abednego Ominde, the personal aide of suspended CEO Ezra Chiloba over an attempt to sneak out files from the commission.

IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati has confirmed in a statement to the press that the two officers were nabbed at the parking basement as they tried to sneak 14 files, and that the DCIO is on top of the matter. Chebukati however could not reveal the motive of the two officers.

Mr Chiloba has followed the arrest with a statement, vindicating Wahome and Ominde of any wrong doing; stating that they were on a mission to run documents in preparation for his return to duty on September 14, 2018 (tomorrow).

His statement reads: “ This is not unusual and therefore the officers should not be victimized for doing what they are supposed to do in good faith.”

He was forced out on lengthy compulsory leave that has taken five months now. Chiloba confesses that he requested for the documents and sent officers to collect for him files on procurement.

“Given the magnitude of the audit queries raised, my over 5 months’ absence from office and the need to respond to those queries adequately, I personally requested copies of the relevant documents to be ready on my return to work,” reads his statement.

Meanwhile, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has said that Chiloba's resumption of duty was extended in a Show Cause letter dated August 29, 2018.

The commission tweeted as follows on their twitter page:

The Show Cause letter to Mr. Chiloba of Aug 29th extended suspension till finalization of disciplinary proceedings. Allegation of resuming office is misleading. The case of office files is under police investigation - W.W. Chebukati

— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) September 13, 2018