IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati suspends ICT Director James Muhati, two other officials

IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati with CEO Ezra Chiloba flanked by commissioners addressing the press at Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha ,Nakuru county on September 11,2017. Photo:Kipsang Joseph/Standard

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has suspended its ICT Director and two other officials.

Confirming the suspension, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati indicated that James Muhati (ICT Director), Paul Mugo (ICT Coordinator) and Boniface Wamae (ICT Officer) failed to deliver their mandate in the August 8 General Election.

Quite patently, the ICT Director and two members of staff involved in managing SFTP platform, appear to have fallen short of assisting the Commission succesfully discharge this collegial and constitutionally enshrined mandate,” read part of Chebukati’s internal memo.

He indicated that the electoral body does not need to wait for the detailed Supreme Court ruling to effect changes ahead of the repeat presidential election slated for October 17.

"I reiterate that we don't need to wait for the reasoned judgement to enable the commission commence rectification of any shortcomings that may be evident from the elections," he said.

The chairman noted that the move is not only meant to restore public confidence in the commission, but to also assure its integrity as per the law.

“This suspension is necessary to not just restore public confidence in the commission’s ability to prepare and deliver credible polls but also assert the integrity and fidelity of the commission to the rule of law,” he stated in the memo.