Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Francis Wanderi has resigned from the electoral body.
He becomes the third of the ‘Cherera 4’ to resign after IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera and commissioner Justus Nyang’aya announced their exit.
In his resignation letter to President William Ruto, Wanderi insisted that he was not guilty but executed his mandate as a commissioner.
“As I tender my resignation today, I do so not because I am guilty of the allegations levelled against me by the petitioners, but because there comes a time when the country is more important than any individual,” he said.
“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 tainting my reputation and integrity,” he said.
He added that he hoped that the government will institute a standing body to address issues within the commission.
“I remain hopeful that the rule of law as envisaged in the Constitution will continue to safeguard all Kenyans and trust that the government will institute a standing body to address the corporate governance issues within IEBC, including disputes among Commissioners, to avoid future “boardroom raptures”.
The four were accused of attempting to overturn the will of Kenyans by disowning the August 9 presidential election results announced by IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati.
Four petitioners; Republican party, Dennis Nthumbi, Geoffrey Langat and Steve Owuor, filed petitions for their removal on grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office and violation of the Constitution.
They were set to face a tribunal on their conduct following a parliamentary vote and the formation of a Justice Aggrey Muchelule-led team.
