Third IEBC Commissioner Resigns

Former IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the press flanked by ex-commissioner Justus Nyang’aya and commissioners Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.

File

His resignation left Irene Masit as the only commissioner in office from the bracket of the four officials targetted by four petitions submitted in the National Assembly. 

President William Ruto suspended the four commissioners following a recommendation from the National Assembly. 

The Head of State proceeded to form a tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Mchelule which was tasked to investigate the four officials before giving a conclusive report regarding their fate. 

Worth noting, the resignation of the three commissioners risked plunging the electoral commission into a constitutional crisis with regard to the quorum. 

The commission’s Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, and two other commissioners are expected to retire in January, an event which would see the commission left without a  substantive commissioner to run its operations. 

Politicians affiliated with the opposition faction had expressed their reservations against the process in what they termed as an infringement of IEBC’s independence. 

Azimio la Umoja leaders led by Raila Odinga denounced the process, arguing that the state was planning to pre-rig the 2027 elections. 

On Wednesday, December 7, Raila hinted at a plan to boycott the election if the state continues with the process of restructuring IEBC. He noted that the opposition would keep a close eye on the process of instituting a new commission. 

“Ruto needs to be stopped from putting a place a commission that will be his puppet. If not, then there will not be any elections,” Raila stated during a consultation rally at Kamukunji Grounds.