Talks to determine a send-off package for the IEBC commissioners are set to begin today against a fast ticking clock for electoral reforms.
All commissioners are expected to start negotiations for their exit package in a tripartite meeting. It will bring together Attorney General Githu Muigai, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and officials of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission.
Some of the commissioners have already started carting their personal property out of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission offices at Anniversary Towers, in preparation for their exit.
“They are preparing to leave. Some are clearing out,” a source at Anniversary Towers said.
At least two commissioners have surrendered their official vehicles and have been reporting to duty using private means of transport.
The meeting will receive a “closely guarded” exit budget from the commission, but will have the latitude to agree on a number of parameters, including gratuity and settlement of the salaries and allowances for the period to be forfeited by the commissioners early exit.
After a deal on the exit settlement is reached, the commissioners will write to the President to formally tender their resignation following a mutual agreement with the parliamentary Joint Select Committee on the IEBC.
Willing to leave
The commissioners have said they are willing to leave office only if they are paid all their dues. On Saturday, the status of the IEBC reforms became unclear amid fears that failure to have new commissioners by September 30 could derail the process.
National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi said the Parliamentary Service Commission cannot nominate members of a selection panel to pick new commissioners until next month.
