It will cost Kenyan taxpayers Sh220 million to send home IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners who are still in office.
The three have only served for 14 months since their appointment at IEBC since January 2017 when they were appointed to office. They have a balance working period of 58 months (4 years, 8 months).
One of the commissioners on Tuesday told the Star they are not determine to leave office but if they are forced out, they will exit through a negotiated package.
“We have done nothing wrong and we are determined to go on with work, but if anyone wants us out, then we will ask to be paid for the remaining part of our terms,” he told the Star.
In the event they will leave office before their six-year term ends, government will have to pay Chebukati his monthly salary of Sh1.4 million in lump-sum.
He will take home Sh81.2 million which does not include gratuity and other benefits.
For the other two commissioners Bola Molu and Abdi Guliye, they will each walk with Sh69.6 million exclusive of gratuity and other benefits. They earn a monthly salary of Sh1.2 million.
Vice Chair Consolata Maina, Paul Kurgat and Margaret Mwachanya who resigned on Monday, they will not have any negotiated package because they resigned. They are only entitled to gratuity pay.
The three resigned citing lack of faith with Chebukati’s leadership following suspension of CEO Ezra Chiloba.
Legislators led by Aden Duale-Leader of Majority in Parliament are hell bent on removing Chebukati from office.
“Parliament will take a lead in resolving this crisis and we will look for the best way out, including a negotiated exit for the remaining three,” he said yesterday.
However, a confidential source from IEBC told the Star that Chebukati and the three commissioners are bent on staying on at the IEBC even in the face of the crisis.
“They are saying that quitting will amount to irresponsibility. In fact, they say what has happened is a blessing in disguise because the country will now have a chance to appoint new commissioners whose terms will end at a different time, thereby ensuring there is continuity at the commission all the time.”