The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has reiterated that its commissioners had nothing to do with the Sh50 million Chickengate scam.
It is alleged that IEBC chairman Issack Hassan, former CEO James Oswago and defunct IIEC bosses received kickbacks from a UK firm, Smith & Ouzman, during the procurement to purchase ballot papers for Shinyalu, South Mugirango and Bomachoge by-elections and the 2010 Constitutional referendum.
While commenting on the preparations for the 2017 general election on Thursday, IEBC said the UK suspects were investigated, prosecuted and convicted for conspiracy to bribe public officials who worked for the IIEC between 2006 and 2010, and it had nothing to do with the Commission.
Investigations by UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) alleged that about Sh50 million was paid out as bribes to Kenyan poll agency officials.
“The UK suspects were investigated, prosecuted and convicted for conspiracy to bribe public officials who worked for the IIEC between 2006 and 2010. It has nothing to do with this Commission.”
“The Chairman (Hassan) and other officials of IIEC have recorded statements with the EACC of what we know about the matter and we expect speedy conclusion to those investigations so that they can be vindicated. The Chairman has maintained his innocence on this matter,” the electoral body said in a statement.
The Commission said it is in the process of cleaning up and updating the principal voters’ register, which will be published for public inspection.
It said that the whole IT department has been restructured as part of wide ranging institutional reform and capacity building.
“A new data centre is being set up to insure against failure among other technology upgrades, which will be tested for stress, readiness and resilience at least six months before elections.”
The Commission told leaders to stop peddling false information about it.
IEBC urged all eligible Kenyans to visit its constituency offices countrywide and register as voters, and not wait to rush at the last minute.
A section of Cord MPs led by ODM Chairman John Mbadi Wednesday reiterated the opposition's plan to camp at IEBC offices every Monday until the commissioners resign.
Cord has accused IEBC commissioners of planning to rig 2017 elections in favour of Jubilee coalition.