RUNDOWN
• Juliana Cherera has resigned days after President William Ruto suspended her and three other commissioners.
• She said that her stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate.
• Cherera resignation comes after Justus Nyang’aya decided to vacate his post last week Friday terming the decision to step aside as having been motivated by the desire to put the interests of the country above his own.

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera has resigned days after President William Ruto suspended her and three other commissioners.

In a Special Gazette Notice Number 258, President Ruto had noted that the mandate of the tribunal shall be to consider the petition for the removal of (1) Juliana Whonge Cherera, (2) Francis Mathenge Wanderi, (3) Irene Cherop Masit and (4) Justus Abonyo Nyang’aya from office as members of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and to inquire into the allegations therein.

“It is with immense woe that today I tender my resignation as commissioner and vice chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). Since joining the commission, I have dispensed my duties diligently, meticulously and put a spirited effort in helping the commission deal with corporate governance issues under very difficult circumstances…,” Cherera said.

In her letter of resignation, she said that her stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate she also added that that her actions were done in good faith are unfortunately misjudged and misinterpreted. She ended by thanking the president for the opportunity to serve the republic.

Cherera resignation comes after Justus Nyang’aya decided to vacate his post last week Friday terming the decision to step aside as having been motivated by the desire to put the interests of the country above his own, adding that he arrived at the conclusion after praying on it.

“It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) effective today, in the last few weeks, I have had serious soul searching and being a man of faith, prayed fervently so that I may have the wisdom to make a decision that is in the best interest of the country. We all agree that the best interest of the nation must always supersede our individual interest, Justus wrote”

He also added that he have always endeavoured to act in the best interest of the country, although his actions, taken in good faith have been misconstrued he is grateful that he have been given an opportunity to serve a great nation and that he intend to continue doing so in other capacities.

According to President Ruto, the decision to suspend the four Commissioners came following a recommendation by the National Assembly that sought to out the commissioners over their conduct during the August 9, 2022 General Election. and formed a tribunal to consider a petition seeking their removal from office.

The President went on to appoint High Court Judge Aggrey Muchelule as the chair of the tribunal whose members include Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Linda Gakii Kiome, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena and Col. (Rtd.) Saeed Khamis Saeed.
The joint secretaries for the tribunal will be Kibet Kirui Emmanuel and Irene Tunta Nchoe with Peter Munge Murage being the lead Counsel assisted by Zamzam Abdi Abib.

The National Assembly approved a report by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) last week, recommending the formation of a tribunal to investigate the conduct of the four commissioners.

By Jane Kibathi.