Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition Party presidential candidate Raila Odinga has protested the push by new regime to kick out the four dissenting commissioners.
Addressing the media on Thursday, November 24, 2022, Raila suspected ill motives behind the push by President William Ruto’s regime to have the four dissenting commissioners kicked out.
He said the current problems confronting IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera, commissioners Irine Masit, Justus Nyangaya, and Francis Wanderi are part of President Ruto’s scheme to rig the 2027 elections.
As such, the former Prime Minister asked the four commissioners to boycott the petitions filed against them, in the interest of constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“This probe is politically motivated; it is a continuation of the witch-hunt mission that Ruto is on. We advise the commissioners to boycott it in the interest of constitutionalism and rule of law,” Raila said.
Raila’s comments were supported by lawyer Danston Omari who stated that removing Cherera and other IEBC commissioners would have huge consequences.
“The decision of this committee is likely to impact this country in a manner unknown has a serious constitutional crisis. The three serving ones are leaving, and four there is a political intention to remove them. We are heading to a serious national crisis.” Omari said.
The four were summoned after they rejected the August 9, presidential results announced by IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati saying the final tally was conducted in an ‘opaque’ manner.
The petitioners argued that the commissioners violated the constitution by demonstrating partiality and biased conduct in agreeing with an alleged proposal to alter the results of the general elections in favor of one candidate or in the alternative to force a run-off contrary to article 10 (7) of the constitution.