Nyeri Town Member of Parliament, Ngunjiri Wambugu, has called for the resignation of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati over role of Cabinet Secretaries role in politics remarks.
According to the legislator, Chebukati was biased on his position on the involvement of Cabinet Secretaries in politics.
Speaking in Nyeri town when he hosted Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, and her delegation, Wambugu said Chebukati comments can only be interpreted as political because Chebukati has never called out Deputy President who is a member of Cabinet, for taking a political position.
“In my opinion, Chebukati is quick to say that CSs should not take a political position and that is very biased,” he stated.
He noted that while Cabinet Secretaries such as Fred Matiangi (Interior) and Joe Mucheru (ICT) have political opinions, they were not directly involved in the election while Chebukati is the head of the electoral agency.
“Chebukati has taken a position by taking sides between CSs and the DP, therefore, we should consider finding someone else to chair the IEBC who is not as obvious as he is,” Wambugu said.
The Nyeri Town MP said that if indeed the IEBC chair has taken a political position then the role of heading the team of referees who will be in charge of the upcoming election should be given to someone else.
This comes after Chebukati asked public officers to remain neutral after the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) sought clarification on the subject of Matiang’i and Mucheru’s involvement in poll planning teams.
He pointed out that Section 23 of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012, which appears to give Cabinet Secretaries and County Executive Committee Members a lifeline to engage in political activity was insufficient.
