Ruto Suspends Four IEBC Commissioners, Forms Tribunal To Hear Their Case

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 2 – President William Ruto on Friday suspended four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners and formed a tribunal to hear what he termed as misconduct.

This emanates from the concluded August polls in which the four: Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi and Irine Masit disagreed with chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The appointment comes hours after Parliament recommended the setting up of a Tribunal to try the four IEBC Commissioners over alleged gross misconduct during the August 9 elections.

The House also recommended that Ruto suspends the four commissioners who differed with their chairman Wafula Chebukati on the outcome of the presidential elections.

“Article 251 (4) of the Constitution requires that upon receiving such a petition from the National Assembly, the President shall suspend the member of the Commission from office and appoint a tribunal to inquire into the matter,” said Ruto.

“I do hereby direct that Juliana Whonge Cherera, Francis Mathenge Wanderi, Irene Cherop Masit and Justus Abonyo Nyang’aya, being members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, be and are hereby suspended from office with immediate effect and

A Tribunal to inquire into the matter be and is hereby appointed, constituted.”

The chairman of the tribunal will be Justice Justice Aggrey Otysula Muchelule and the members are Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Linda Gakii Kiome, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena, Col. (Rtd.) Saeed Khamis Saeed and Kibet Kirui Emmanuel, Irene Tunta Nchoe.

The Lead Counsel will be Peter Munge Murage while Assisting Counsel is Zamzam Abdi Abib

The mandate of the Tribunal shall be to consider the Petition for the removal of the four from office as members of IEBC and to inquire into the allegations therein.

In the discharge of its functions, the Tribunal shall prepare and submit a report and its recommendations thereon expeditiously; and exercise all the powers conferred upon it by law for the proper execution of its mandate.

The move is the latest in the president’s moves to punish those who were seen as opposing his candidacy for president.

The opposition plans a series of protests over the issue.