Chebukati wants chilobe out

 The Chairman of the IEBC, Wafula Chebukati, has reportedly decided that CEO Ezra Chiloba must step down. This move is part of the sweeping changes Chebukati has initiated following the Supreme Court's historic ruling that annulled the recent presidential election. The decision was made during a lengthy meeting held on Saturday, just a day after the judgment. Chebukati appears to have acted decisively, even before the court's full written ruling was released, signaling a commitment to restructuring the commission—a necessary step, in my opinion.

However, this development raises several intriguing questions. For instance, it’s worth noting that despite their numerous demands, NASA has not called for Chebukati’s resignation. This is unusual, given that as Chairman, he bears ultimate responsibility for the commission's operations. Instead, NASA has focused almost exclusively on Ezra Chiloba, which seems both deliberate and puzzling.

To understand the implications, let’s revisit some key events. During the court proceedings, when issues arose with the missing or manipulated Form 34As, it was not Chebukati who took the lead in defending the IEBC. Instead, it was Chiloba, who arrived in court carrying flash drives and documents and presented them as the commission's defense. His central role during these moments has not gone unnoticed.

Now, Chebukati's insistence on Chiloba's departure speaks volumes. Interestingly, both men hail from the same village, tribe, and even sub-tribe within the Luhya community. This shared background raises questions about regional balancing and the wisdom of appointing leaders from the same area to such critical roles. It has led some to speculate whether their appointments were influenced by external forces seeking to manipulate the electoral process.

Chiloba’s behavior has fueled further speculation. Many argue that he has acted more like a representative of State House than a neutral CEO of the IEBC. He has often been perceived as a link between the commission and external forces accused of interfering with its operations—particularly in relation to the controversial servers used during the election.

For example, if you analyze footage from the time President Uhuru Kenyatta was declared the winner, Chiloba’s demeanor raises eyebrows. His body language and conduct were far from that of an impartial referee. This perceived partiality has drawn widespread criticism, with many suspecting Chiloba of hiding something significant. His reaction when the Supreme Court granted access to the IEBC servers—complete with a fixed, nervous smile—only deepened suspicions. Experts have since confirmed that the servers contained troubling irregularities, and to this day, the IEBC has not fully complied with the court's order to grant unrestricted access.

The findings from the server audit have been described as shocking and riddled with irregularities that will likely be debated for generations. This situation underscores the gravity of Chebukati's decision to call for Chiloba’s removal. The move has sent ripples across the country, with many seeing it as a critical step in restoring public confidence in the IEBC.

Finally, it is becoming increasingly evident that the IEBC, as it stands, is unlikely to conduct the upcoming elections. Despite Jubilee's insistence on maintaining the commission's current structure, sweeping reforms appear inevitable. This is a developing story, and more updates will follow as the situation unfolds.