A section of Members of Parliament affiliated with the Azimio coalition party has called for a transparent process of replacing IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners.
Led by National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi, the MPs on Sunday, October 23, further demanded that Chebukati proceeds to terminal leave.
The lawmaker said that Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Prof. Abdi Guliye should be on terminal leave as required by law.
"Why is it so difficult for Chebukati and his friends to go home yet the law and procedures require them to go home three months to their exit date? We are still calling upon them to proceed on terminal leave without any further delay," Wandayi stated.
The remarks come after President William Ruto initiated the process of replacing the IEBC chairman and the two commissioners.
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In a gazette notice dated Friday, October 21, the president said that he shall appoint a selection panel as required by law to oversee the recruitment process.
"In exercise of the powers conferred by section 7A(2) of the IEBC Act as read with paragraph 1 (1) of the first schedule, I William Ruto, president of the Republic of Kenya notify of the impending vacancies in the position of chairperson and two members of the IEBC," read part of the gazette notice.
In response to the development, Chebukati welcomed the process maintaining that it will ensure a smooth transition and the retention of institutional memory.
"I wish to welcome the decision to gazette impending vacancies for the positions of IEBC Chairperson and 2 Commissioners which will officially be vacant from 18/1/2023. This will ensure smooth transition and retention of institutional memory which has previously not been the case," Chebukati tweeted.
