IEBC Chief Executive Ezra Chiloba [PHOTO/the-star.co.ke]
After the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) fired its procurement director Lawy Aura, it has emerged that the poll agency took the measure on grounds that the commissioner was incompetent.
IEBC accused Aura of incompetence which had “made operations untenable” ahead of the August 8 General Election.
It is believed that Aura was blamed for the several delays in the procurement of ballot papers for use in the August polls which the electoral agency Monday said was being addressed.
Although the commission released details of his sacking Tuesday morning, Chairman Wafula Chebukati said in a statement that Aura was fired on May 29.
This comes just two days after a meeting resolved to send on a 30-day compulsory leave the ICT Director James Muhati.
“The Commission on 29 May 2017 relieved the Procurement Director Mr Lawy Aura of his duties necessitated by incompetence that has made operations untenable as we fast approach the General Election,” Chebukati said in a statement.
“We have noted with great concern the growing anxiety associated with the ballot procurement. The Commission is addressing the issue of the procurement of ballot material with utmost urgency,” he added.
He said IEBC is making “every effort in reducing the delay in the selection of the supplier and we will inform the nation of our options soon.”
“We will continue to engage all political actors and in utmost good faith as we proceed with the procurement of the ballot material and other processes,” the IEBC chairman concluded.