Raila To Stage Parallel Jamhuri Day Event

Former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, has announced plans to hold a public consultations forum on Monday, December 12 at the Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi, at the same time as the Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Speaking during a meeting with Nairobi grassroots leaders in Nairobi on Friday, December 2, Raila described President William Ruto's suspension of the IEBC vice chairperson, Juliana Cherera, and three other commissioners as a plot to rig the 2027 general elections.

He reiterated that the Azimio la Umoja coalition would not sit back and allow the government to remove them from office. Raila maintained that the consultations would take place on Wednesday, December 7 at the historic grounds.

In addition, he promised to lead his supporters in a similar forum parallel to the Jamhuri Day celebrations, the first President Ruto will lead the country in celebrating.

“The events in Parliament yesterday on the formula of appointing IEBC commissioners and the hounding of the four commissioners have got nothing to do with integrity, but about 2027. Ruto wants to rig the 2027 election. We should not allow this to happen."

"On December 7, we will launch the public consultations forum at the historical Kamkunji grounds. And we will return to the same grounds on December 12 to continue with the consultations," he promised.

President Ruto gazetted a tribunal that 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.

Cherera will be investigated alongside Justus Nyang'aya, Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.

"The mandate of the Tribunal shall be to consider the petition for the removal of Juliana Whonge Cherera, Francis Mathenge Wanderi, Irene Cherop Masit and Justus Abonyo Nyang'aya from office as members of IEBC and to inquire into the allegations therein," read the special gazette notice in part.

The president further directed that the four commissioners be suspended until the conclusion of the matter.

"Having received and considered the petition of the NA and in the exercise of the prerogative vested in the Head of State and Government by Article 251 of the Constitution, I William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby direct that;

"The four are hereby suspended from office with immediate effect, and a tribunal to inquire into the matter be and is hereby appointed," read the notice in part.

The four were accused of gross violation of the Constitution and a breach of their oath of office, which makes their status illegal to hold office. They were prominent for denying the presidential election results on Monday, August 15 as announced by IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati.