Senators have launched an inquiry to establish why service providers and poll officials who oversaw the Bungoma by-election on December 8, 2022, are yet to be paid.
It has emerged that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) owes service providers and poll officials Sh216 million and Sh83 million respectively.
Bungoma senator Wafula Wakoli, who sought a statement from the Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights, wants IEBC to provide a report on the amount of resources allocated for the poll.
“State reasons why service providers and poll officials have not received their payment totalling Sh216,091,675 and Sh83,513,300, respectively,” he said.
He further wants the electoral body to state plans in place, if any, to ensure that polls officials and service providers receive their funds, indicating the timelines.
Wakoli said the committee should also establish the interest accrued on the unpaid bills, occasioned by the failure of IEBC to pay the service providers and poll officials within the prescribed date.
The officials who oversaw the poll include presiding officers, deputy presiding officers and clerks.
The Senate by-election in Bungoma was occasioned by the resignation of Moses Wetang'ula, following his election as Speaker of the National Assembly.
A by-election for the seat was held on December 8, 2022, and Wakoli (Ford Kenya) emerged victorious.
The commission conducted six by-elections on the same date.
Apart from Bungoma County Senatorial election, voters went to the polls in County Assembly Wards in Ololmasani (Narok County), Kyome/Thaana Ward (Kitui County), Utawala (Nairobi City County), Mumias North (Kakamega County) and South Gem (Siaya County).
The elections for the five wards were postponed following the death of candidates, who had been cleared prior to the August 9, 2022 General Election.
