MPs question IEBC’s Ksh.888M supplementary budget request as commissioners demand new cars

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is seeking an additional Ksh.888 million to, among other things, buy new cars for commissioners, refurbish its offices and conduct enhanced mass voter registration at the end of this month.

Members of the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee have raised a red flag over the commission’s priorities, which also include the construction of a Ksh.3.5 billion Uchaguzi Centre.

The additional Ksh.887.95 million is part of the first supplementary budget to finance its activities.

In its request, IEBC wants the money to cater for the former IEBC CEO Marjan Hussein Marjan’s exit package, which includes his salary and gratuity one month after his departure from the commission.

The commission is also seeking Ksh.168 million for the purchase of commissioners’ motor vehicles, Ksh.10 million for furniture for the commissioners and Ksh.120 million for the renovation of commission offices.

“The other day my colleague here, the front wheels flew out. God forbid the front tyres almost got out. We found a commission where people are using very old vehicles,” Vice Chairperson Fahima Araphat.

IEBC Commissioner, Dr Alutalala Mukhwana added, “The situation room will be there to do a number of things, real-time update from the field to know nani anasema ukweli nani anasema uongo. Number two to nab fake news.”

Members of the committee questioned the need for the large allocations, with some lawmakers terming them non-essential.

“Did the commissioners also leave with the furniture?” Wajir East MP Mohammed Daudi noted.

Mugirango West MP Steven Mogaka, on his part, said, "I just want confirmation that the situation room is not a war room.”

Fahima responded, “We need laptops, we need computers, we need officers, so hiyo Kiingereza mingi ndiyo inaenda kufanya.”

The commission, which is also preparing to ramp up its voter registration exercise from March 30, has requested Ksh.50 million for stakeholder engagement for the upcoming exercise.

It has also asked for Ksh.40 million for the commission’s situation room, Ksh.100 million for the media campaign for enhanced continuous voter registration and Ksh.392.06 million for by-elections.

The funds will cover eight elective positions filled on November 27, four elective positions held on February 26 and upcoming ward by-elections, including the Emurua Dikirr by-election.

“We will be bringing another budget for Emurua Dikirr by-elections later on,” said IEBC Acting CEO Moses Sunkuli.

Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba added, “Do you have enough budget for the by-elections that are coming up soon?”

“We did have allegations of rigging during by-elections… how do you rate yourself?” Chairperson, Justice and Legal Affairs Committee George Murugara stated.

Commissioner Prof. Francis Aduol added, “We would rate ourselves at 90 per cent because we had some instances of violence.”