Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chair Wafula Chebukati has come out in defence of the Thirdway Alliance Party Punguza Mizigo bill's signatures.
Speaking on Wednesday, Chebukati said that the commission adhered to the law in approving 1.2 of the 1.4 million signatures presented by the party to jump start its referendum bid.
Speaking in Busia county, he took issue with political players who have been questioning the signature collection process, as the Ekuru Aukot-led party seeks to change the constitution.
“The commission carried out its duties and functions in accordance with the law, it is should not be what an individual or group says on the verification process of the signatures,” he said after meeting employees of the commission.
He further dismissed claims that the commission is not properly constituted to handle the possible referendum following the exit of four of the seven commissioners.
This follows concerns by the likes of Amani National Congress (ANC) leader Musalia Mudavadi, who has stressed on the need for the commission to be reconstituted first.
But on the other hand, Chebukati said that the commission is not financially ready to conduct a referendum, but will seek the funds through the parliament should the exercise be confirmed.
"The constitution is very clear on how many commissioners constitute the commission and the matter was settled by the court so we shall continue carrying out mandate as the law requires us,” he added.
Apart from Punguza Mizigo, the opposition, led by former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, has also been pushing for another referendum under the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).