Editor's Review

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has refuted allegations peddled by a letter that went viral online that a section of its members was reluctant about the withdrawal from the special elections committee.


The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has refuted allegations peddled by a letter that went viral online that a section of its members was reluctant about the withdrawal from the special elections committee.

The letter which emerged and was widely circulated online on Tuesday, November 30, 2021, alleged that some commissioners were against IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati's move to withdraw from the committee.

The letter was allegedly signed off by Marian Hussein Marian.

In a statement on Tuesday, December 1, 2021, IEBC refuted the claims, terming the letter as fake.


The letter alleged that Chebukati failed to discuss the move to withdraw from the special elections committee with IEBC commissioners.

According to the letter, the commissioners noted that IEBC's independence did not mean a detachment from working with other government institutions in enhancing governance.

''For due operation in the matrix,'' independence'' does not mean ''detachment'', isolation or disengagement from other players in public governance. For practical purposes, an independent commission will find it necessary to coordinate and harmonize activities with those of other institutions of government or other commissions so as to maximize results in the public interest.'' the letter read in part.

The letter alleged that IEBC's 'detachment' from governance would severely affect its delivery and strain relations with other government institutions.

The letter followed Chebukati's move to withdraw IEBC from the special elections committee chaired by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

This comes at a time when questions have been raised over IEBC's preparedness for the August 9, 2022, General Elections.