Trio seeks orders to stop tribunal probe on 'Cherera Four'

IEBC vice chairperson Juliana Cherera addresses the press at Serena on August 16, 2022 flanked by commissioners Justus Abonyo, Francis Wanderi and Irene Masit. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Three residents of Meru have gone to the High Court seeking to stop the tribunal formed to investigate four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission commissioners who dissented during presidential election.

Philemon Kiogora, Godfrey Kinoti and Joshua Mwirigi, through their lawyer Kiogora Mugambi, have challenged the mandate given to the tribunal set up to investigate the conduct of Juliana Cherera, Francis Wanderi, Irene Masit and Justus Nyang'aya.

All four commissioners were listed as interested parties in the petition before Justice Edward Muriithi.

Lawyers Donald Kipkorir, Apollo Mboya, K Wachira and G Sore appeared for the commissioners.

Mugambi said his clients were aggrieved because the issues raised against the four commissioners were heard and determined by Supreme Court as the State organ with the jurisdiction to hear and determine any dispute relating to the presidential election petition.

The trio argued that in the event the tribunal was allowed to deal with the matter of the four who opposed the announcement of the presidential election by IEBC chair Wafula Chubekati, their rights risked being violated.

The petitioners are seeking to stop the tribunal from prosecuting, deliberating, recommending or investigating the allegations contained in the National Assembly Petition for Removal from Office of the four commissioners.