Reconciliation Finally? Four Rebel IEBC Commissioners Attend Chebukati’s Meeting at Bomas
After a week of conflict over the credibility of the presidential results, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioners seem to have united.
The commissioners were divided into two groups with one part being led by the vice chair, Juliana Cherera, and Chairman Wafula Chebukati leading the other.
The Cherera-led group consisted of Irene Masit, Justus Nyang’aya, and Francis Wanderi. They disowned Chebukat’s results that Ruto had won the presidential seat with 50.49%. They accused Chebukati of being a dictator who put them out of important decision-making meetings.
On his side, Chebukati accused the four of wanting to enforce a run-off between Ruto and Raila. He also accused them of straying from their integrity vows by allowing themselves to be influenced by political interests.
While the country is still digesting which group is telling the truth, the commission seems to have reunited.
The commissioners attended a meeting at the Bomas of Kenya to discuss Kakemga and Mombasa County gubernatorial elections on Monday 22 August 2022
The IEBC pushed the Kakemga and Mombasa County election to a later date in September, a move in which the four dissenting commissioners complained were not involved.
At least, the meeting has born fruits because the commissioners have finally agreed.
They have agreed that the Kakamega and Mombasa elections will be held on August 29. Moreover, they have also agreed that the candidates will be allowed to campaign until August 27.
The newly-united commission explained that the Kakemeag and Mombasa elections had pushed to allow the preparations of a proper send-off of the murdered Embakasi-East Constituency returning officer, Daniel Musyoka.
As the country celebrates the baby steps of a reunited commission, Raila has finally filed a petition at the Supreme Court against the IEBC. Raila argues that IEBC committed some electoral fraud and will compel the court to overturn Ruto’s win.
