Under fire IEBC Commissioner Justus Nyang'aya resigns

Justus Nyang'aya, one of the embattled ‘Cherera four’ IEBC Commissioners, has now resigned from the electoral body.

This comes hours after President William Ruto formally suspended him alongside IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera as well as fellow Commissioners Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.

Nyang’aya, in a subsequent letter addressed to President Ruto on Friday, expressed gratitude for his time in the commission which allowed him to serve the country.

He termed the decision to step aside as having been motivated by the desire to put the interests of the country above his own, adding that he arrived at the conclusion after praying on it.

“It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation as a commissioner of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) effective today,” he wrote.

“In the last few weeks, I have had serious soul searching and being a man of faith, prayed fervently so that I may have the wisdom to make a decision that is in the best interest of the country. We all agree that the best interest of the nation must always supersede our individual interest.”

He added: “I have always endeavored to act in the best interest of the country, although my actions, taken in good faith have been misconstrued. I am grateful that I have been given an opportunity to serve our great nation and intend to continue doing so In other capacities.”

President Ruto suspended the four Commissioners and formed a tribunal to consider a petition seeking their removal from office.

The Head of State, in a Gazette Notice on Friday, ordered them to step down from office pending the advisory of the tribunal.

He said the decision came following a recommendation by the National Assembly that sought to oust the commissioners over their conduct during the August 9, 2022 General Election.

The President went on to appoint High Court Judge Aggrey Muchelule as the chair of the tribunal whose members include Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Linda Gakii Kiome, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena and Col. (Rtd.) Saeed Khamis Saeed.

The joint secretaries for the tribunal will be Kibet Kirui Emmanuel and Irene Tunta Nchoe with Peter Munge Murage being the lead Counsel assisted by  Zamzam Abdi Abib.

The move came a day after the National Assembly approved a report by the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) recommending the formation of a tribunal to investigate the conduct of the four commissioners.

JLAC’s Chairperson George Murugara said they had enough grounds to warrant the suspension of the Commissioners.

“The petition by the Republican Liberty Party discloses serious violations of the constitution and other laws as a ground for removal of Mrs Juliana Cherera, Ms Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya commissioners of IEBC,” read part of the report by the committee.