Embattled Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera has announced her resignation from the electoral body days after President William Ruto suspended her alongside three other commissioners.
In a letter addressed to Ruto through the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cherera noted that her stay at IEBC was no longer tenable.
“It is with immense woe that today I tender my resignation as commissioner and vice chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC),” Cherera wrote in part.
“Since joining the commission, I have dispensed my duties diligently, meticulously and put a spirited effort in helping the commission deal with corporate governance issues under very difficult circumstances. As vice chairperson, I always advocated for fair treatment and equal opportunity for all staff,” she added.
Cherera stated that she made the decision to resign from IEBC after consultations with her family and lawyers.
“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 consultations with my family and lawyers, I accept that my stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate,” Cherara’s letter reads in part.
It continues; “I sincerely thank His Excellency, Hon. Dr William Samoei Arap Ruto, The President of the Republic of Kenya for the opportunity accorded to me to serve te republic. God bless Kenya.”
Cherera’s resignation comes just days after Justus Nyang’aya also resigned as IEBC commissioner.
In a letter addressed to the President, Nyang’aya stated that his move comes after weeks of soul searching and prayer in pursuit of wisdom to come up with a decision that is in the best interest of the country.
“It is with a heavy heart that I tender my resignation as a commissioner of the IndependentElectoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) effective today. 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,” the letter read in part.
