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Woman Called Irene Masit Threatening Her To Resign- Lawyer

Masit will be grilled individually as well as Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang'aya and Francis Wanderi.

Marvin Chege

Dec 9, 2022 - 16:45

Dec 9, 2022 - 16:47

Woman Called Irene Masit Threatening Her To Resign- Lawyer

IEBC Commissioner Irene Masit. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

Irene Masit, the only surviving member of the infamous four breakaway commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has claimed that she was threatened to resign from her position.

Through her lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, Masit claimed that she was threatened through a phone call by an unidentified female caller.

Kipkorir spoke on Friday, December 9 after he appeared before the tribunal formed to probe Masit and three other commissioners.

He further alleged that the investigation by the tribunal might be biased owing to the joint evidence on the three commissioners who resigned from their roles.

Lawyer Donald Kipkorir. /FILE

"In view that three commissioners have resigned, to proceed with the investigation as it is may prejudice my client because the documents and evidence is joined," Kipkorir stated.

However, Justice Aggrey Muchelule, the chairperson of the tribunal formed by President William Ruto, refused to cave in to the lawyer's claims, adding that the three commissioners will be investigated individually when the tribunal commences its duties on Tuesday, December 20.

"The commissioners each took the appointment. It was an individual appointment and individual oath taken and it is an individual quest for the removal of the commissioners," Muchelule said.

Masit will be grilled individually as well as Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang'aya and Francis Wanderi. The three quit office while Masit filed an appeal against the inquiries with the affirmation that she will not resign.

Justice Aggrey Muchelule, who chairs the tribunal, directed the commissioners to be served with all the relevant documents by Monday, December 12 to allow their respective legal teams adequate time to respond.

Masit had the previous day denied reports claiming that she resigned from her role hours after Wanderi did so on the back of being accused of almost subverting the will of the people during the August 9 general elections.

They opposed IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati’s declaration of William Ruto as the winner of the hotly-contested August 9, 2022, presidential election.

Wanderi had stepped down from his role earlier in the day over what he termed as a predetermined fate in the process of evaluating whether he, alongside the trio were suitable for office as conducted by the tribunal.

Cherera had stated in her letter to President 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.

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

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

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Marvin Chege Marvin is a man who wears many hats as well as one of many talents. The digital journalist and editor rose from studying a Psychology degree at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) and working as an intern at Kenyans.co.ke to the Founder & Editor-In-Chief at Viral Tea Ke, driving it into one of the fastest-growing digital media platforms in the country. He believes in serving that hot tea; every day and every hour. His skills include editing, writing, social media analytics, teamwork, and good communication skills and is ready to learn, re-learn and unlearn. Previously, Marvin also served as the Digital Editor at Bright Kenya News and has had stints at 254News.co.ke and Afrotape.com as a Content Curator His works as a commentator have been featured in newspapers such as Daily Nation, Business Daily, The Star and People Daily either solo or alongside other fellow young journalists. He is a believer in growing young talent in the media industry, passing on lessons learnt from other experienced digital journalists to scribes that look up to him. Currently, he is pushing to have aviation journalism popular among media houses in Kenya. As a believer in victory, he is a fan of Chelsea Football Club and some say he has a radio voice.