IEBC boss Wafula Chebukati [Photo/kbctv.co.ke]
The IEBC has explained why it posted one community in western region as Returning Officers. This comes amidst complaints from the opposition after members from DP William Ruto’s community were posted to head constituency elections.
“We were guided by the principle that returning officers should not serve in their home areas. However, we ensured that we don’t take people too far from their homes. That explains why you see officers from certain communities in particular areas. At the end of the day, they are under a code of conduct to deliver impartial results,” Mr Chiloba told Daily Nation.
The transfers have forced opposition leaders led by ANC chief Musalia Mudavadi to demand an immediate reshuffle. He said that the exercise was full of ethnicity and malice.
“We reject those postings not because we are against the officers but want to protect their integrity against negative perceptions their posting has generated to the effect that they are an advance team to steal the August elections. We, therefore, ask IEBC to revoke the postings,” Mr Mudavadi said as quoted by Daily Nation.
“Is IEBC telling Kenyans that only members of a single community could be found within its staff to qualify for posting to Western? Do they, for instance, have better geopolitical and linguistic knowledge of the region than any other officers within IEBC?” the ANC party leader asked.
His sentiments were echoed by other opposition leaders including Kakakmega senator Bony Khalwale.