Economy

IEBC faulted on Linturi’s fake degree papers’ case

LINTU

Meru Senator Mithika Linturi. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has faulted the electoral agency for failing to take action against Meru Senator Mithika Linturi over allegations of possessing forged academic papers.

During the hearing of two cases in which the legislator seeks to clear his name, the EACC told the court that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) allegedly watered down its own statutory power to handle a complaint presented before it regarding Mr Linturi’s academic qualifications.

The EACC argued that IEBC only handled the complaint after an order was issued by the High Court.

READ: Linturi links varsity degree troubles to politics in suit

According to the anti-graft commission, the High Court would not have issued such an order to the IEBC if it indeed lacked the legal capacity to adjudicate over the said complaint.

“It is clear from the decision delivered by the IEBC on August 6, 2017 in the integrity complaint that the said Commission persisted in its failure or refusal to adjudicate over issues raised before it in the complaint,” said EACC’s Abraham Lorot.

The EACC also denied claims that it has conspired with Mr Linturi’s political opponents to wage war against him.