IEBC Vice Chair Juliana Cherera Resigns, Days After Suspension by President Ruto

IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera has resigned from the commission, days after President Ruto suspended her and three other commissioners and formed a tribunal to probe their conduct in the August 9th general election.

Cherera, who led the three commissioners in disowning the results of the August 9th presidential election terming them opaque, resigned through a letter to President Ruto on Monday.

“After careful consideration of the current events at the commission and with consultation with my family and lawyers, I accept that my stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate,” reads the latter.

She expressed disappointment in what she termed as “misinterpretation and misjudgment of actions done in good faith.”

“Since joining the commission, I have dispensed my duties diligently, and meticulously and put a spirited effort in helping the commission deal with corporate governance issues under very difficult circumstances,” she said.

"However my cumulative actions done in good faith are unfortunately misjudged and misinterpreted. After careful consideration of the current events at the commission and with my family and lawyers, I accept that my stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate."

She becomes the second commissioner to resign after Justus Nyang’aya, who stepped aside on Friday for the “best interests of the country.”

“In the last few weeks, I have had serious soul searching and being a man of faith, prayed fervently so that I may have the wisdom to make a decision that is in the best interest of the country. We all agree that the best interest of the nation must always supersede our individual interest.”

He added: “I have always endeavored to act in the best interest of the country, although my actions, taken in good faith have been misconstrued. I am grateful that I have been given an opportunity to serve our great nation and intend to continue doing so in other capacities.”

The other two commissioners are Irene Masit and Francis Wanderi.