Tribunal probing 'Çherera 4' kicks off hearings against IEBC commissioner Irene Masit

The justice Aggrey Muchelule-led team started by listening to one of the petitioners Dennis Nthumbi who accuses Masit of joining her three other colleagues to dispute presidential election results declared by the IEBC chairperson. 

Masit’s lawyer Donald Kipkorir put Nthumbi to task to explain the specific contraventions of the law committed by the commissioner. 

Kipkorir argued that the shape and stature of the petition had evolved since it was filed in parliament.

According to Kipkorir, in the filings before the tribunal, there were more materials to the disadvantage of Masit and that the tribunal should have struck out the extra documents.

An hour later, Justice Aggrey Muchelule dismissed the objection heralding the commencement of the hearing. 

Dennis Nthumbi the first petitioner told the tribunal that Masit’s involvement as part of four dissenting commissioners of the IEBC at a press conference, disowning presidential election results was reason enough to have her removed.

Nthumbi is also relying on an affidavit that Masit filed at the Supreme Court objecting to the results announced by IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati, while questioning his conduct at the commission.

Lawyer Kipkorir, however, sought to discredit the petitioner who has previously claimed being a security expert, a reverend and a governance expert.

The tribunal hearings resume on Wednesday with the continuation of cases by three other petitioners. 

IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu are lined up to testify against Masit.

The tribunal is also expected to summon the management of two city facilities, the Serena hotel and Yaya towers said to have hosted the Cherera four on the days around the election.