The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioner Irene Masit’s suspended conduct will be investigated by a tribunal that will resume its hearing on Monday at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development in Nairobi.
High Court Judge Aggrey Muchelule led the tribunal, which ended the hearing of witness testimonies on January 24, after Wafula Chebukati, former IEBC chairman, gave evidence.
Masit’s lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, confirmed that his client would not present any witness.
In December 2022, President William Ruto appointed Muchelule to chair the tribunal alongside members, including Carolyne Kamende Daudi, Linda Gakii Kiome, Mathew Njaramba Nyabena, and Col (Rtd) Saeed Khamis Saeed.
Joint secretaries appointed were Kibet Kirui Emmanuel and Irene Tunta Nchoe.
The tribunal is led by Peter Munge Murage, assisted by Zamzam Abdi Abib.
The tribunal, which was supposed to highlight submissions on February 9, was rescheduled for February 20, 2023, and the final highlighting submissions will be received.
The tribunal will review the submissions to reach its conclusions.
Following the resignation of three colleagues, including Juliana Cherera, the former vice-chairperson, and commissioners Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi, Masit is the only commissioner whose conduct during the election period was scrutinized by the tribunal.
The former IEBC boss was cross-examined on electoral code violations that led to her suspension alongside six other commissioners following the 2022 general election that was controversial.
The tribunal has been investigating Masit’s conduct for a few months, and the resumption of oral submissions is a significant step towards the conclusion of the process.
The tribunal’s recommendations will be essential in upholding the credibility of Kenya’s electoral process, and the public is eagerly awaiting them.
