IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe travels to the US after clearance by immigration office

IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe

IEBC commissioner Roselyne Akombe was forced to spend Tuesday night at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) after the state stopped her from traveling.

Dr. Akombe was traveling to New York on official duties when immigration officers refused to clear her citing "instructions from above."

She was scheduled to  board her Emirate Airlines flight that left Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on Tuesday 10.45 pm but could not go past the Immigration desk.

“The officers just told the commissioner to talk to Director of Immigration Gordon Kihalangwa for any inquiry,” an eye witness told the Standard.

She had already checked in, given a boarding pass but her luggage was removed from the plane after she was blocked from exiting.

Dr. Akombe who had been sent to New York by her boss Chairman Wafula Chebukati, was forced to retreat to the VIP lounge.

This morning, the IEBC said in a tweet that the commissioner had been cleared and was proceeding with her flight and that the immigration department had apologised.

“Dr. Akombe who is traveling to the US for an official meeting was delayed at JKIA by official who hassince apologised. She returns on Sunday,” the tweet read.