EACC on the spot over slow probe into ‘chickengate’ scam

A parliamentary committee has directed the anti-graft agency to speed up investigations into alleged corruption involving officials of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), saying that the country will not go to the next polls with a tainted body.

Justice and Legal Affairs committee chairman Samuel Chepkonga said a meeting involving the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney- General would be convened in three weeks to review the progress of investigations into the alleged bribery of top IEBC officials by convicted managers of UK-based printing firm Smith and Ouzman (S&O).

The directive came after EACC chief executive officer Halakhe Waqo expressed frustrations over the slow progress of investigations into the scandal, popularly known as “chickengate.”

Mr Waqo told the committee that investigations into the scandal had hit a brick wall owing to the complex and rigorous procedures involved in the mutual legal assistance laws that facilitate sharing of information.

READ: Raila demands IEBC chief, minister quit over bribery claims

“Investigations into allegations of corruption in the procurement and printing of ballot papers involving Smith and Ouzman and IIEC have been going on since last year.

‘‘We have linked up with the UK authorities and there has been back and forth correspondence.

“Last week we requested UK’s Serious Fraud Office and they still have things to prepare and engage their attorney- general before getting back to us. We can’t be certain when the investigations will be complete,” Mr Waqo said.

The committee wanted to know the progress of investigations given that IEBC chairman Issack Hassan, former chief executive James Oswago and suspended Energy secretary Davis Chirchir allegedly took bribes running into millions of shillings to award the British firm lucrative contracts to print ballot papers for use during the last General Election.