Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, is expected to testify before the tribunal investigating his former vice chair Juliana Cherera and three other commissioners.
According to an NTV report on Friday, December 9, Chebukati was called upon by the tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Muchelule to give an account of what happened during preparations for the August 9 presidential results.
Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi and Irene Masit -still at the Commission – have been accused of attempting to subvert the people’s will.
Commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu will also testify during the investigations.
Further reports intimated that the trio had already prepared their affidavits which will be submitted to the tribunal in the coming days.
The Muchelule-led tribunal is scheduled to begin its hearing on Tuesday, December 20.
However, investigations hang in the balance following a move by Masit and her legal team to challenge the investigations in court.
Muchelule indicated that he would only stop the proceedings once they were served with relevant court documents.
“There are no orders the High Court has given, and if that is given, we will oblige without question. We must do our bit,” the judge stated.
Additionally, the judge announced that Cherera and the two other commissioners – who quit office in the last seven days – would still be investigated despite leaving office.
Cherera, Nyang’aya and Wanderi tendered resignation days after President William Ruto suspended them and formed a tribunal to investigate them.
Ruto’s move was informed by Parliament’s report recommending the removal of the four from office.
Notably, the Cherera four were accused of calling for the moderation of results in favour of a run-off during the Presidential petition at the Supreme Court.
“CEO Hussein Marjan walked into the boardroom with the final results and handed over a copy to each Commissioner. A debate ensued. Four Commissioners, Cherera, Nyang’aya, Masit and Wanderi, protested and insisted that the results should be changed in light of the National Security Council (NSAC) delegation’s communication.
“Cherera suggested that the margin is not too big and could be manipulated by moving 233,211 votes from Ruto to the rejected ballots category. When my turn to speak came, I told the Commissioners that I would not be a party to a scheme to sabotage the will of the people,” Guliye stated in his affidavit before the Supreme Court.
Source: kENYANS.CO.KE