IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati Declares He Won't Resign

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati has refused to succumb to pressure for him to resign from the commission.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) led by its Executive Director David Kegoro had asked Chebukati to exit and disband after it was indicted for bungling August 8th election, which was invalidated by the Supreme Court.

On Wednesday, Kegoro called for disbandment of the electoral commission and its secretariat to allow the country identify a new team before the next general elections.

“Chebukati and his team faced external interference as they prepared for the elections but they have not helped themselves by the way they have managed their internal terrain where they are in charge,” said Kegoro during the Annual Jurist Conference in Mombasa.

“I think Chebukati should tell Kenyans within what period the commissioner will vacate office to allow the country to have a substantive conversation that is not tied down to the commissioners of the IEBC,” he added.

In a rejoinder, Chebukati said Kegoro's claim was his personal opinion that did not represent what Kenyans feel about the commission. He also stated that the commission is legitimately and constitutionally in office.

“At the end of the day the commissioners are in office because of their competence, they did not just come into office, they were interviewed and brought into office by the nature of the constitutional provision and clear guidelines as to the term of office,” said Chebukati.

Chebukati further commended his team for delivering two presidential elections in a span of three months. He added that Monday's Supreme Court verdict upholding the October 26th vote confirmed the commission's ability to deliver a credible poll.

“As a commission we believe we did two elections in three months which is a commendable effort as an electoral body and I don’t believe there is any electoral body in Africa that has been able to do so,” said Chebukati.