Litigious politicians who owe IEBC at a risk of being cleared
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has warned politicians seeking to defend their seats in August 9 General Election risk being locked out of the contest if they fail to clear the over Sh5.4 million they owe the electoral commission.
Appearing before the public Accounts Committee ( PAC) IEBC acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Hussein Marjan hinted out that aspirants in the August polls who owe the commission including serving leaders, might not be cleared unless they pay up.
This came up as PAC led by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, demanded that the commission provide the details of all the lawyers it owes more than Sh1.9billion in legal fees for services rendered in the 2017 general election petitions.
Marjan said the commission had instructed its lawyers to file bankruptcy proceedings against those who owe it.
“Does it mean that MPs and other leaders who have not cleared the IEBC money face clearance issues in August election?” Funyula MP Wilberfoce Oundo asked.
Marjan replied that if they wanted to be cleared by commission for the elections settling their dues was among the statutory requirements.
“This is an opportune time for the commission. It may work to recover what is owed it is good strategy,” he said.
Oundo pleadings were, however, dismissed by Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo who claimed bankruptcy is a serious issue under leadership and integrity requirements.
“It cannot be that you are on IEBC’s case for failing to collect monies owed yet you want it to go slow on you,” he said.
