IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati. Photo/the-star.co.ke
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has refuted claims of bias, ethnic profiling and planned rigging of elections in the coming general election.
IEBC shared the list of the new returning officers on social media, who were reshuffled from their postings in 2013.
The electoral commission’s CEO Ezra Chiloba defended the body saying the list of 47 county and 290 constituency returning officers was determined by the principle that returning officers should not serve in their home areas.
“That was cherry-picking, ignored 14 constituencies in Western Kenya. A national analysis gives (a) totally different picture,” the agency said in its response to the user.
According to the list in the Nyanza and western regions, Ms Grace Rono will man the elections in Kakamega, Ms Sarah Ogaro (Vihiga), Ms Bilha Kiptugen (Bungoma), Mr Fredrick Apopa (Busia), Ms Ruth Kulundu (Siaya), Mr John Lorionokou (Kisumu), Mr Michael Kosgei (Homa Bay), Mr Robert Namulungu (Kisii), and Mr David Bett (Nyamira).
The county managers and returning officers are to report to work by May 20.