[Ex- IEBC commissioner Roselyn Akombe in a past event. She dominated International Media headlines on Wednesday morning. Photo/Nation]
The resignation of IEBC commissioner Roselyn Akombe has dominated international media headlines as Kenya’s ability to hold free and fair elections comes under scrutiny.
On Tuesday evening, the outspoken commissioner tendered her resignation from New York, claiming that the commission is under siege and that she had received death threats from unknown people.
France’s Associated Press said “Kenya election official says she’s resigning before new vote” adding that she reached the decision because “electoral commission was not brave to speak about its inability to conduct elections that meet basic expectations of credibility”.
In London, the BBC published the story under the headline “Kenya election official resigns, saying poll not credible”.
It further said the commissioner, in an exclusive interview with them, said she had feared for her safety adding that she had received numerous death threats.
The Daily Mail on its part said, “Kenya poll commissioner quits, says election cannot be credible” in one of its top news headlines.
It further revisited the divisions within the commission that were allegedly exposed through a leaked memo from IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati to CEO Ezra Chiloba adding that she had also accused her colleagues of bias.
With just eight days to October 26th polls, her resignation could spark yet another heated debate from among the political elites and ordinary Kenyans.