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Independ Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC ) now wants the Treasury to release the remaining ksh14.4 billion the soonest time possible for smooth running of activities.

Speaking during the unveiling of the four newly appointed commissioners in Mombasa, the IEBC chair, Wafula Chebukati said that out of the ksh40.9 billion budget they had requested from Treasury, so far they have only been allocated ksh26.5 billion.

“We are asking the Treasury to release the ksh14.4 billion. That’s the bare-minimum,” Chebukati told journalists in Mombasa on Friday.

“As the commission continues to plan for 2022 general elections we reiterate the need for timely and sufficient disbursement of funds to facilitate implementation of planned programs.”

The chair at the same time announced that the commission will, next month, roll out Ehanced Continous Voter Registration targeting to register at least 6 million new voters at the ward level.

“We are eligible voters who have not registered as voters to turn up in large numbers and register,” Chebukati stated.

The Chair further raised a red flag about “heightened political activity” he said was sparking unnecessary tension even before the declaration of the official campaign period ahead of general election.

“We are urging the campaign players to stop this trend as the official campaign is outlined in the election operation,” the Chair stated in Mombasa.

The new Commissioners Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang’aya promised to work together with their colleagues in the commission to execute their duties professionally.

“I have joined IEBC to work with other Commissioners. We are promising Kenyans that as midwives we will ensure that both the baby and the mother will be safe before, during and after elections,” promised incoming Commissioner Nyang’aya.

On her part Commissioner Cherera said “we are here to assure the public that we are going to work as a team and we are determined to deliver free, fair and credible elections.”

Commissioner Masit acknowledged the media as an important partner calling on members of the fourth estate to execute their work professionally and ensure that their “reports won’t break the nation” during elections.