Embattled IEBC CEO Breaks Deadlock Over Cases Surrounding Him

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_50172" align="alignleft" width="630"] Ezra Chiloba[/caption] Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba has come out and defended himself against scandals implicating him saying governance problem is to be blame. Chiloba said chairman Wafula Chebukati and the commissioners should be held accountable for the ongoing crisis in the electoral body in what he termed as “cannibalism”. He castigated commissioners for impeding his activities. “Ideally, the commissioners should insulate the secretariat from external attacks, allowing him to carry out its operational role. This strengthens the institution and allows the oversight role of the commissioners to be strategic and impactful; away from the current cannibalism we witness,” stated Mr. Ezra Chiloba. The suspended CEO is in trouble for alleged flouting procurement rules. He is accused of failing to follow the laid down procedures when he awarded Airtel Kenya a three year contract tender to supply 1,553 Thuraya IP+ satellite modems. It is said he ignored Public Procurement and Disposal Act 2015 guidelines which require proof of delivery of goods and services before payment. According to Internal Audit ordered by the Chairman Wafula Chebukati, Mr, Chiloba needs to explain why an order of 1553 units was placed even after Airtel indicated in their acceptance letter dated July 17,2017 that it could only deliver 1000 units during August 8 polls. The team led by Obadiah Keitany, director of audit, risk and compliance, wants Chiloba to reveal the approved procurement requisition, a professional opinion, a tender award notification and the acceptance letter. They indicated in their report that the delivery of Thuraya IP satellite devices were done in stages. On July 22, 2017, 300 units were delivered; 700 units on August 2 while 553 units on August 25. The committee also discovered that sh. 639 million ($6390000) of the contract amount was paid in December while a balance of sh.273 million ($2730000) has been prepared awaiting disbursement.