Chiloba taken to task over Ksh.800M net worth, controversial IEBC and CA exits

Controversial stints at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) haunted Ezra Chiloba when he appeared before the National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee for vetting.

Chiloba, who has been nominated for the Los Angeles Consul-General position, also faced tough questions on the Ksh.800 million wealth that he has amassed over time.

He was required to explain why scandals always seemed to follow him whenever he has worked in a public office.

“There are some doubts about you, from what you have presented it shows you have never worked in the private sector meaning you have been in the public sector all your life, yet you have an enormous Ksh.800 million in wealth. Can you explain that?” Posed Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan.

He added: “From your CV you are restless. It shows you serve for a few years and at times even months then leave for another job. Can we really trust that you will stay should be appointed for this job?”

Chiloba however explained that his multi-million wealth was thanks to his fixed assets and ventures in agribusiness, adding that he also engages in consultancy services and derives a salary from formal employment.

“I have been very fortunate, because I started working while still in school in 2001.  Currently, I engage in agri-business and I plant and sell avocados in my farm in Kitale. Over the years I have also been able to save money derived from formal employment and my consultancy business,” he explained.

On his controversial exists from IEBC and CA, Chiloba insisted that he has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the institutions, and that the focus has only been on the wrongs that happened.

This was after Baringo Central MP Joshua Kandie questioned his suitability to serve in another public office considering the acrimonious exits from the two public offices he served in.

Kandie stated that Chiloba was accused for bungling the 2017 General Election during his stint at IEBC, while at CA he was alleged to have mismanaged staff mortgages.

The lawmaker consequently sought to know why Chiloba seemed to court “trouble” wherever he went.

“I am afraid that this gentleman will go to Los Angeles and give us another scandal,” stated Kandie.

Chiloba however stated; “When I served at IEBC, I did my best to turn it around but focus has always been on what went wrong. There is a lot I did at the commission that even contributed to prosperity of last year’s elections.”

Speaking on his issues at CA, he announced to the committee that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) which was looking into the matter.

“My exit from the authority was due to a conflict of vision with some people. I decided to exit because I did not want things to escalate to where they were when I was at IEBC. I have since been cleared by EACC over the allegations of mismanaging staff mortgages,” noted Chiloba.