With barely two months to go before the country goes to general elections on August 8, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has fired its procurement director Lawy Aura.
Aura was fired from the commission on grounds of incompetence and has been blamed for delays in procurement of ballot papers that will be used in the August 8 polls.
In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday morning, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati said the Commission has noted with great concern that he is incompetent and may end up costing the commission much during the polls.
“The Commission on 29 May 2017 relieved the procurement director Lawy Aura of his duties necessitated by incompetence that has made operations untenable as we fast approach the General Election,” said Chebukati.
“We have noted with great concern the growing anxiety associated with the ballot procurement. The Commission is addressing the issue of the procurement of ballot material with utmost urgency.”
His sacking comes barely a week after the commission sent its ICT director James Muhatia on a compulsory 30-day leave.
This follows an incident where names for aspirants from ODM were changed two weeks ago.
The incident indicated that there was collusion between a junior IT officer at Orange House and a senior IT personnel at IEBC.
IEBC has since assured Kenyans that it is doing everything possible to expedite the procurement process of the ballot papers.
“We are making every effort in reducing the delay in the selection of the supplier and we will inform the nation of our options soon.”
“We will continue to engage all political actors and in utmost good faith as we proceed with the procurement of the ballot material and other processes,” said Chebukati.