MPs raise red flag over acting IEBC directors 13 months to 2027 polls

The poll agency on Tuesday came under intense scrutiny from MPs over the continued occupation of five director-level positions in an acting capacity months to the 2027 General Election.

 Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), the commission faced questions from lawmakers who warned that prolonged acting appointments, barely 13 months to the polls, could undermine the credibility and efficiency of the electoral body.

 MPs demanded to know why key departments remain without substantive directors despite the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission having resumed full operations following the appointment of new commissioners.

 Funyula MP Oundo Mudenyo argued that uncertainty in IEBC’s top management could weaken decision-making and hamper election preparedness at a time when critical electoral activities are expected to gather pace.

 “Just a point of concern: the management introduced themselves as acting. Can the commission tell us why the majority are in acting positions?” posed the Funyula lawmaker.

 “We have less than 13 months to the elections. Let us know what is happening. Is the commission capable of delivering a credible election?”

 Last week, IEBC confirmed the next elections will be held on Tuesday, August 10 2027.

 The same concerns were raised by Nabii Nabwera (Lugari) and Lesuuda Naisula (Samburu West) – both members of the oversight committee.

 “While it is indisputable why the CEO is on acting capacity, all five directors are all acting. I am wondering if the CEO has the technical backing,” Nabii said.

 Naisula sought to know for how long the directors have been serving in an acting capacity.

 “It is important to know how long they have been in acting capacity,” Naisula said.

 In defence, Commissioner Markaren Sorobit said IEBC has been working on its human resource tools and soon the positions will be filled substantively.

 “When we came in, we found almost everybody acting. We realised our tools were not proper so together with the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, we have worked on them and we are now ok,” Sorobit told the committee chaired by Butere MP Tindi Mwale.

 Amongst the directors acting at the commission include Joyce Ekuam (Ag Director Voter Education and Partnership), AbdiDahir Abdi (Ag Director Electoral Operations) and Hassan Abdlla (Ag Director Human Resource).

 Others are Fred Muthinji (Ag Director Internal Audit and Compliance), Douglas Bargorett (Ag Manager Legal) and Dr Meshack Lomoywara (Ag DREB & RM).

 The session also exposed fresh concerns over the Commission's ballooning legal expenditure, with MPs questioning the amount spent on court cases and legal representation.

 Currently, the commission owes Sh2.9 billion in legal fees to lawyers who represented IEBC in various electoral disputes in the 2017 and 2022 elections.

 The legal fees was initially at Sh4.3 billion but was reduced after the commission negotiated with the lawyers to allow a 40 per cent cut.

 Lawmakers accused the electoral agency of turning legal services into a ‘cash cow’, demanding a detailed breakdown of legal fees paid over recent years and questioning whether the commission was receiving value for money.

 Nabii called for a forensic audit of the legal fees saying the matter has become a cash cow at the commission.

 “Why would an advocate be owed legal fees since 2013 and continue providing legal services to the commission?” Oundo posed.