[IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati. He has expressed security concerns of his officers ahead of the repeat elections. Courtesy: The Star]
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is grappling with a temporary shortage of manpower ahead of the presidential repeat polls.
According to the commission's chair Wafula Chebukati, IEBC is facing an acute shortage of staff with just seven days to the fresh polls.
It has been reported that several IEBC officials who were scheduled to conduct the elections have pulled out of the exercise citing security concerns.
The officials, who include returning officers, presiding officers and clerks are said to have failed to turn up for training sessions.
In Migori County for instance, a total of over 100 officials failed to turn up for training despite confirming their attendance.
According to Suna East constituency returning officer Mr. Leonard Okima, the looming political crisis has adversely affected preparation of the elections.
This comes just a week after NASA leader Raila Odinga pulled out of the presidential race, citing lack of electoral reforms within IEBC.