IEBC's Francis Wanderi Resigns

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Francis Wanderi has resigned.

Preliminary reports have indicated that Wanderi resigned on Thursday, December 8 over what he termed as a predetermined fate in the process of evaluating whether he, alongside Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang'aya and Irene Masit were suitable for office as conducted by the tribunal.

Wanderi was among the four breakaway IEBC commissioners. Cherera and Nyang'aya have since resigned as well.

IEBC Vice-chair, Juliana Cherera and three commissioners during a press address at Serena Hotel in Nairobi. /FILE

Cherera had stated in her letter to President William Ruto on Monday, December 5 that she was stepping down from the commission, explaining how she carried out her duties in line with the mandate of her role at the commission.

"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, and meticulously and put a spirited effort into helping the commission deal with corporate governance issues under very difficult circumstances.

"As vice chairperson, I always advocated for fair treatment and equal opportunity for all staff. However, my cumulative actions done in good faith are unfortunately misjudged and misinterpreted," she explained.

She added that after careful consideration of the current events at the commission and with consultation with her family and lawyers, she accepted that her stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore chose to vacate.

"I sincerely thank His Excellency, Hon. Dr William Samoci Arap Ruto, The President of the Republic of Kenya for the opportunity accorded to me to serve the republic. God Bless Kenya," she added.

The commissioners were suspended by President Ruto following recommendations from the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC).

The tribunal gazetted in the same circumstances to investigate them will be chaired by Justice Aggrey Mucheule. Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Linda Gakii Kiome, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena, and retired Colonel Saeed Khamis Saced were also appointed to the tribunal.

Masit is now the last standing of the Cherera Four. If she were to resign, the commissioners would plunge the electoral commission into a constitutional crisis in regard to quorum.

With chairperson Wafula Chebukati and three other commissioners on the verge of stepping down in January 2023, the commission would be left without a commissioner to run its operations.

Politicians affiliated with the opposition have already expressed their reservations on the matter, terming it an infringement of the independence of the IEBC.

The Azimio la Umoja under Raila Odinga resorted to piling pressure on President Ruto’s government with regard to reforms of the IEBC.

"That the Ruto regime be pressed to embrace the rule of law and embark on an inclusive and consultative process of reconstituting the IEBC failure to which Kenyans will be free to resort to other measures that will enable them to attain this goal," stated Azimio.

Raila Odinga on his way to Kamukunji for the rally on December 7, 2022. /YOUTUBE