IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba Sues Chairman Wafula Chebukati for Suspension

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba has sued the agency's Chairman Wafula Chebukati for wrongly sending him on a 3-month compulsory leave.

Chiloba was suspended from the commission in a notice served to him on Saturday to pave way for investigation into irregularities in the procurement department, Chebukati said in a statement to the press.

“The commission’s plenary meeting held on Friday April 6 received and discussed an audit report on some procurement matters."

" Subsequently, it was decided through a majority voting to expand the audit scope and that the CEO proceeds on compulsory leave for a period of three months to enable conclusion of the audit,” Chebukati said in a press statement.

However, in a petition lodged in the court, Chiloba wants temporary orders granted to allow him resume his duties at the electoral commission. 

He says that the decision by Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, Commissioners  Abdi YakubGuliye and Boya Molu to send him on compulsory leave was a witchhunt and malicious.

He further argues that the decision was made by only three commissioners, contrary to the provisions stipulating the conduct of the business affairs of the commission. The law states that a quorum is constituted by at least five commissioners.