IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati. Photo: the-star.co.ke
Representatives of various political parties in the country on Tuesday stormed IEBC offices, accusing the polls body of unwillingness to engage them in elections management.
Members of the Political Parties Liaison Committee (PPLC) claimed that IEBC officials had failed to turn up for a meeting planned to discuss electoral time-lines.
They further accused the electoral agency of interfering with electoral timelines without consulting them.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati was reportedly absent when the group stormed the offices.
They found vice chairman Connie Maina, who they engaged in a closed door meeting for about one hour.
PPLC Chairman Philip Obonyo claimed they waited for IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba and his deputy Sungura Nyabuto at a city hotel, but they did not show up.
Obonyo said they resorted on storming the offices because Chiloba and Nyabuto failed to pick their phone calls.
"We had agreed to have a meeting and Chiloba confirmed. On Monday when our chairman called the commission over the meeting, they did not pick his calls. He went to the offices and they said they did not have money for a venue. PPLC sacrificed to pay for a venue," said Benedict Wachira, PPLC Secretary for internal and external affairs, as reported by the Standard.
He added, “We were surprised that they failed to turn up even after Chiloba had confirmed to us that he would attend."
In a response, IEBC said they had agreed to have a meeting with the political parties but were yet to agree on details.
"We had agreed to a number of engagements but we were yet to get to the details. We certainly would be happy to meet our clients but the meetings have to be structured and with understanding from both parties. We will work with them closely to bring clarity on the electoral process," said Andrew Limo, IEBC’s communications manager.