Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Coalition wants Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati and the other two outgoing commissioners to proceed to their terminal leave to avoid further cannibalization of the commission.
In a meeting that brought together Coalition’s governors and deputy governors held on Friday in Naivasha, Azimio termed the removal process of the other four dissenting IEBC commissioners who disowned the August 9 electoral results as a revenge mission.
“To this end, we take serious notice of and condemn in the strongest terms possible the revenge mission the regime has embarked on against conscientious commissioners of the IEBC who had the audacity to reject the electoral coup perpetrated by the IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati,” read part of a press statement dated November 25.
They also stated their continued quest for electoral justice will not be deterred by those who are opposed to their faction.
The Raila-led faction further noted they had begun reflections and consultations, on what they said will be a move that will protect the people of Kenya and the democracy at large going forward.
“We have begun deep reflections and consultations with the Kenyan people on the required resistance and struggle to protect the people of Kenya and our democracy. We shall not allow the re-establishment of authoritarian rule, and the violations of human rights,” Azimio stated.
The coalition, among other resolutions, added that they will be committed to safeguarding the constitution, democracy and the rule of law.
The demand comes a day after the National Assembly Justice and Legal Affairs Committee (JLAC) commenced the process of removing the four commissioners of the IEBC who disowned the August 9 elections results.
The four commissioners include Juliana Cherera (Vice Chair), Irene Masit, Francis Wanderi, and Justus Nyagaya.
The committee chaired by Tharaka MP George Murugara has four days to scrutinize four petitions and substantiate before the House within 14 days whether they hold ground for removal under Article 251(1)(a) of the Constitution.
JLAC had since started cross examining the petitioners under oath over all matters related to the petition before according to the commissioners a chance to appear in person or be presented by their lawyers to defend themselves.
