Whistleblower Reveals Ksh4 Billion Windfall for 7 Law Firms Advising IEBC
Kibwezi West Member of Parliament (MP) Mwengi Mutuse revealed on Friday, July 5, that seven firms contracted by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for advisory opinions had charged the institution Ksh4 billion.
The Kenya Kwanza MP, elected under the Maendeleo Chap Chap ticket, described the billing as exorbitant and called for an investigation.
Mwengi, a member of the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) in the National Assembly, promised to bring the issue to the floor of the House.
“Seven law firms were instructed to submit a simple application for an advisory opinion, resulting in nearly Ksh4 billion in pending legal fees,” he stated.
“Where is the accountability? Is the IEBC secretariat aware of the current public sentiment? Business as usual cannot continue.”
The MP pledged to gather support from fellow JLAC members to oppose any efforts to approve the expenditure.
According to Mwengi, the IEBC secretariat should cover the cost from their own pockets rather than burdening taxpayers.
On Thursday, the IEBC requested an advisory opinion on whether it can proceed with the delimitation of electoral boundaries and other electoral processes without commissioners or a quorum.
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Additionally, the IEBC sought the Supreme Court’s intervention on whether it could review constituency and ward boundaries after the legally set timelines had passed.
Finally, the advisory opinion inquired whether constitutional timelines for boundary reviews could be extended under special circumstances.
According to the Constitution, the IEBC should have completed the boundaries review by March 6, 2024, but the process was delayed due to a lack of commissioners.
Mwengi argued that seeking an advisory opinion on these three issues should not have resulted in a Ksh4 billion bill.
The JLAC Committee is chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara, with Mwengi Mutuse serving as the vice chairperson.
Other committee members include Otiende Amollo, Junet Mohammed, Tom Kajwang, Farah Maalim, Amina Udgoon, John Makali, Wakili Muriu, Maina Njeri, Michael Mwangi, Silvanus Osoro, Stephen Mogaka, and Aden Mohamed.
Whistleblower Reveals Ksh4 Billion Windfall for 7 Law Firms Advising IEBC
