IEBC bosses might face charges over faulty poll kits

IEBC officials led by Chairman Isaack Hassan (centre) at a past function.  (Photo:File/Standard)

By GEOFFREY MOSOKU

KENYA: Top electoral commission officials may face criminal prosecution if Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) approves recommendations by anti-graft agency.

Detectives from Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) are said to have finalised a preliminary report, which sources said will be forwarded to DPP Keriako Tobiko for action over procurement of electronic system that largely failed during the March 4 General Election.

The report, according to sources, implicates top officials and will be forwarded to Tobiko’s office for further direction. The DPP will assess whether there is sufficient evidence to sustain prosecution.

Other sources familiar with the probe said the detectives visited various overseas countries, including France, Canada and India as part of their probe where they got “overwhelming” support into their work.

EACC deputy chair Irene Keino said detectives were investigating three files and indicated that one was ready. “I have to check from my officers on the progress of the investigations,” she told The Standard.

The officials also visited IEBC offices and collected data that they have been analysing since a complaint on the process of acquiring the kits was lodged.

EACC detectives have grilled senior officials from the electoral body, including CEO James Oswago more than two times.

Searches

On Wednesday, a team of sleuths conducted simultaneous search on Oswago’s home in Nairobi and Siaya. Another team visited Anniversary Towers, whey they conducted a search in the electoral chief’s office.

“I have given EACC all the documents they have inquired from us,” Oswago said yesterday.

Tobiko ordered investigations into the acquisition of electronic voter identification kits and their failure in the March 4 General Election.

Detectives from EACC and a team from the DPP have been investigating the entire procurement process to establish if there were any criminal acts warranting prosecution of individuals. Tobiko took the action a day after the Supreme Court’s judgment recommended that the procurement of the electronic kits used by IEBC be investigated.

The commission had announced it would hire “an external firm to conduct a detailed evaluation of the entire electoral ICT operations.”

The IEBC’s internal probe was to take between three and six months since April.