Francis Wanderi Resigns Days After Cherera, Nyang'aya Quit IEBC

Former IEBC Commissioners Francis Wanderi (center) and Juliana Cherera during a past media briefing.
Former IEBC Commissioners Francis Wanderi (centre) and Juliana Cherera during a past media briefing.
Kenyans.co.ke

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Francis Wanderi has resigned. 

Wanderi, who was among the four embattled commissioners, tendered his resignation on Thursday, December 8, over what he termed as a predetermined fate in the process of evaluating their suitability.

In a letter seen by Kenyans.co.ke, Wanderi noted that his resignation was "necessitated by undue and unwarranted public lynching" based on what he termed as falsified information. 

The former commissioner maintained that he was innocent and decried that he was only crucified for challenging the commission's chair, Wafula Chebukati, for running a one-man show during the August election. 

Former IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the press flanked by ex-commissioner Justus Nyang’aya and commissioners  Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.
Former IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addressing the press flanked by ex-commissioners Justus Nyang’aya, Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.
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"This decision, while extremely difficult and agonizing for myself and my family, has been necessitated by undue and unwarranted public lynching based on falsified information, fainting my reputation and integrity," read an excerpt from Wanderi's letter.

Wanderi noted that he was vindicated by the Supreme Court verdict, which ruled that the chairperson did not have exclusive jurisdiction to run the commission's affairs alone. 

He became the third IEBC commissioner to tender his resignation after former vice chair, Juliana Cherera and Justus Nyang'aya. 

His resignation left Irene Masit as the only commissioner in office from the bracket of the four officials targetted by four petitions submitted in the National Assembly. 

President William Ruto suspended the four commissioners following a recommendation from the National Assembly. 

The Head of State proceeded to form a tribunal led by Justice Aggrey Mchelule, which was tasked to investigate the four officials before giving a conclusive report regarding their fate. 

Worth noting, the resignation of the three commissioners risked plunging the electoral commission into a constitutional crisis concerning the quorum. 

The commission's chairperson Wafula Chebukati and two other commissioners are expected to retire in January, an event which would see the commission left without a  substantive commissioner to run its operations. 

Politicians affiliated with the opposition faction had expressed their reservations against the process in what they termed an infringement of IEBC's independence. 

Azimio la Umoja leaders led by Raila Odinga denounced the process, arguing that the state was planning to pre-rig the 2027 elections. 

On Wednesday, December 7, Raila hinted at a plan to boycott the election if the state continues restructuring IEBC. He noted that the opposition would keep a close eye on the process of instituting a new commission. 

"Ruto needs to be stopped from putting a place a commission that will be his puppet. If not, then there will not be any elections," Raila stated during a consultation rally at Kamukunji Grounds. 

IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera (second left) with commissioners (from left) Justus Nyang’aya, Irene Masit and Wanderi Kamau.
Former IEBC commissioners Juliana Cherera (second left), Justus Nyang’aya, Francis Wanderi and Commissioner Irene Masit.
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