How hearing of petitions seeking to oust 4 IEBC commissioners will be conducted

The four are Vice Chair Juliana Cherera and commissioners Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya.

The Republican Party, Dennis Nthumbi, Geoffrey Langat, and Owuor Steve Gerry petitioned for their removal on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, violation of the Constitution, and taking sides in the August 9th presidential race.

Osoro, who also sits on the JLAC committee, has explained the phases that members will go through to determine the fate of the commissioners. 

Appearing on Citizen TV's Daybreak Show on Thursday, Osoro noted that after the hearing of the petitions, the four commissioners will be given an opportunity to defend themselves on the matter before JLAC.

The legal committee will then retreat for a report writing which will then be tabled before the National Assembly for consideration at an unconfirmed date.

If JLAC's report is in support of the removal, the commissioners will have another chance to repeal on the floor of the House and another plenary session will be held.

If the removal is proposed, the recommendation will be forwarded to President William Ruto who then sets up a tribunal chaired by a serving judge of a superior court or a person who serves in the same capacity, alongside two High Court judges.

The tribunal shall then investigate the matter expeditiously, report on the facts, and make a binding recommendation to the President, who shall act in accordance with the recommendation within thirty days.

The sentiments from Osoro are likewise enshrined in Article 251 of the constitution which gives guidelines on the process of removing a member of a commission or the holder of an independent institution from office.