Internal Electoral and Boundaries Commission IEBC Chairman Mr. Wafula Chebukati is now pushing for five billion shillings from the government for the relocation of IEBC offices from Anniversary towers to Kilimani.
The IEBC Chairman has announced that the new offices will be fitted with State of the art facilities which includes conference Halls and new furniture. It is not yet clear why Mr Chebukati is pushing for the relocation of IEBC offices to Kilimani.
Politicians affiliated to the opposition have vehemently opposed the move. If approved, the move will also save part of the Sh100 million spent on rent every year.
Agency chairman Wafula Chebukati said the Sh100 million spent annually on rent excludes hiring of venues for the commission’s activities such as training and meetings. Chebukati said the commission will ensure that its new headquarters and other businesses surrounding it will not be disrupted by those picketing.
Starehe MP Charles Kanyi promised in October last year to push for the relocation of IEBC offices from the CBD after many businesses were destroyed. Politicians led by John Mbadi has threatened to call for mass action if IEBC offices are relocated to Kilimani.
“This is a clear suggestion that someone wants to rig elections. We are going to suspend peace if the joke sees the light of the day” John Mbadi said in a statement.
In the run-up to the August 2017 elections, politicians and supporters of National Super Alliance (Nasa) held anti-IEBC protests that affected businesses within the CBD, with those along Waiyaki Way suffering the most.