Electoral body to make changes in ICT unit ahead of 2017 elections
Electoral and Boundaries Commission CEO Ezra Chiloba addresses participants during the launch of election operations plan 2015-2017 in Nairobi on January 14, 2016. PHOTO | JAMES EKWAM | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The commission’s new ICT director said the hiring of top managers is meant to strengthen the capacity of the department and enhance preparations for the elections.
The department has been on the spot following claims that mercenaries were hired and posted to the ICT Department to corrupt its systems in the last General Election.
IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba has announced that the commission will publish all names of individuals recruited to ensure transparency in the hiring.
The commission is also hiring constituency election coordinators for Butere, Wajir East, Suna West, Turkana North and Kinango
The electoral agency has initiated a major internal restructuring targeting its crucial information, technology and communications department.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has begun recruiting top ICT managers and assessing its equipment in readiness for the 2017 General Election.
The commission’s new ICT Director James Muhati on Monday said the hiring of top managers is meant to strengthen the capacity of the department and enhance preparations for the elections.
“We are hiring a manager, Systems; and a manager, ICT Security and Business Continuity, as part of a major internal restructuring meant to enhancing our capability in handling the coming elections,” said Mr Muhati.
The commission’s ICT boss said the department is keen on ensuring effective operations by hiring competent personnel.
The department has been on the spot following claims that mercenaries were hired and posted to the ICT Department to corrupt its systems in the last General Election.
JOBS
The commission is also hiring constituency election coordinators for Butere, Wajir East, Suna West, Turkana North and Kinango; as well as several clerks for Emurua Dikkir, Alego Osunga and Kuria constituencies.
IEBC Chief Executive Officer Ezra Chiloba has announced that the commission will publish all names of individuals recruited to ensure transparency in the hiring.
ODM Director of Elections Junet Mohamed said the party will not tolerate secretive hiring of commission staff, especially in the ICT Department.
“Last time they hired mercenaries through the help of two ex-military officers to intentionally violate the IT systems and manipulate election results, but this time round we will not tolerate them,” said Mr Mohammed.
He said IEBC systems must be verified by an independent experts months before the General Elections.
The CEO also confirmed that an assessment of equipment used in the last elections is currently ongoing, adding that the IEBC will then decide which one will be replaced.
