Chebukati Set To Retire As 6-Year-Term Comes To An End

[Image Source: Metropol Tv]

Written By: Brian Sikulu

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The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairperson Wafula Chebukati is set to retire from office on January 17, 2023, following the conclusion of a non-renewable 6-year term. Mr. Chebukati was appointed as IEBC chair in January 2017 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta after his nomination in December 2016.

Mr. Chebukati was sworn into office alongside a six-member team that included; his deputy Connie Nkatha Maina and commissioners Roselyne Akombe, Abdi Guliye, Boya Molu, Paul Kurgat, and Margaret Mwachanya. Out of the six, only Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye survived the storm to the conclusions of their terms. The remaining four stepped down after the 2017 General Election under an atmosphere of tension and controversy.

It is the end of an era for Mr. Chebukati, Boya Molu, and Abdi Guliye who have overseen the election of two presidents. The recently concluded presidential election saw three members of the IEBC namely; Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyang’aya resign in an effort to dodge a tribunal investigating their conduct. One other commissioner Irene Masit is set to face the tribunal.

As per Section 7A of the IEBC Act, President Ruto through a special gazette notice dated October 21, 2022, announced vacancies at the IEBC. The declaration set in motion the process of appointing new commissioners.

 “…the tenure of the Chairperson and two Members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is set to lapse on January 17, 2023, having been appointed on the 18th January 2017, vide Gazette Notices 399 and 400 of 2017…” a section of the notice read.