Muchelule Tribunal Issues Verdict On IEBC Commissioner Irene Masit

The Tribunal investigating Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Irene Masit has issued its verdict.

In a statement released on Monday, February 27, the tribunal recommended that commissioner Masit be removed from office having been found guilty of violating the constitution.

“This Tribunal recommends to Your Excellency, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, pursuant to the mandate assigned vide Gazette Notice No. 14890 of 2nd December 2022, and further in accordance and in compliance with Article 251(1) and (6) that Commissioner Irene Cherop Masit be removed from office as a member of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission,” the tribunal stated. 

President Ruto suspended Masit and former commissioners Juliana Cherera, Justus Nyang’aya, and Francis Wanderi on December 2, 2022, pending further investigations into their conduct.

“Having received and considered the petition of the National Assembly … I, William Samoei Ruto, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, do hereby direct that Juliana Whonge Cherera, Francis Mathenge Wanderi, Irene Cherop Masit and Justus Abonyo Nyang’aya, being members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, be and are hereby suspended from office with immediate effect,” Ruto stated.

Cherera, Nyangaýa, and Wandweri resigned from the commission following the suspension while Masit remained to face the tribunal.

The four had dissented the August 9, 2022, presidential results, accusing former IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati of altering the results in favour of William Ruto who was announced as the winner.