NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 30 – The chairman of the Independent
Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Issack Hassan says he is
ready to step aside should his name appear in the corruption list
prepared by the Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission (EACC).
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hassan maintained that his conscience is clear, and will allow the legal process to take its course if implicated.
“If I am in the list, I will step aside. But I have not seen the list so I am waiting for tomorrow and see whether I will be in it. Davis Chirchir stepped down because of his job as a Cabinet Secretary. I do not think it has anything to do with his work as a Commissioner,” the IEBC chairman stated.
Hassan was recently questioned by EACC detectives over the infamous ‘chicken scandal’ which involved directors of British printing firm Smith & Ouzman bribing officials in the then Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
Among those who appeared before the EACC were Hassan, Chirchir and former electoral commission Chief Executive Officer James Oswago.
They all served in the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
Two officials of the British firm that paid Sh47.3 million in bribes to secure the election and examination material contracts were jailed last month.
Nicholas Charles Smith was jailed for three years by the Southwark Crown Court while his father, Christopher John Smith was sentenced to an 18-month suspended term for his role in the scandal in which top IIEC and KNEC officials allegedly pocketed Sh50 million in bribes.
The development aggravated pressure for the anti-graft body to take action and nail those behind the scandal.
Five Cabinet Secretaries and other top government officials have already stepped aside to pave way for investigations after confirming that their names are in the list submitted to President Uhuru Kenyatta by the EACC.
IEBC Leader of Majority Adan Duale is expected to make the list public during Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Hassan maintained that his conscience is clear, and will allow the legal process to take its course if implicated.
“If I am in the list, I will step aside. But I have not seen the list so I am waiting for tomorrow and see whether I will be in it. Davis Chirchir stepped down because of his job as a Cabinet Secretary. I do not think it has anything to do with his work as a Commissioner,” the IEBC chairman stated.
Hassan was recently questioned by EACC detectives over the infamous ‘chicken scandal’ which involved directors of British printing firm Smith & Ouzman bribing officials in the then Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
Among those who appeared before the EACC were Hassan, Chirchir and former electoral commission Chief Executive Officer James Oswago.
They all served in the defunct Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC).
Two officials of the British firm that paid Sh47.3 million in bribes to secure the election and examination material contracts were jailed last month.
Nicholas Charles Smith was jailed for three years by the Southwark Crown Court while his father, Christopher John Smith was sentenced to an 18-month suspended term for his role in the scandal in which top IIEC and KNEC officials allegedly pocketed Sh50 million in bribes.
The development aggravated pressure for the anti-graft body to take action and nail those behind the scandal.
Five Cabinet Secretaries and other top government officials have already stepped aside to pave way for investigations after confirming that their names are in the list submitted to President Uhuru Kenyatta by the EACC.
IEBC Leader of Majority Adan Duale is expected to make the list public during Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly.
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