The Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs (JLAC) is set to begin public hearings on petitions seeking to remove four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners from office.
This is after Speaker of the national assembly Moses Wetangula approved the petitions last week and forwarded to the committee.
The committee in a statement said the exercise will start Thursday 24th November to Tuesday 29th November 2022.
“IT IS NOTIFIED for the information of the general public that the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs shall commence hearings on the four (4) Petitions for the removal of Commissioners of the IEBC as from Thursday, 24th November, 2022 at the Mini Chamber, 1”’ Floor, County Hall, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi, as per the Schedule hereunder” states the notification by the Clerk of the National Assembly.
Four petitioners want Juliana Cherera, Julius Nyang’aya, Irene Massit, and Francis Wanderi kicked out from office on grounds of violation of the constitution and other laws; gross misconduct, and incompetence.
This follows their move during the August general election where they disowned presidential results announced by IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati terming them as opaque.
Standing Order 230(4) of the National Assembly Standing Orders mandates JLAC to investigate the matter and report to the House, within 14 days, on whether the petition discloses a ground for removal under Article 251(1)(a) of the Constitution.
Article 118[1)[b) of the Constitution provides that, “Parliament shall facilitate public participation and involvement in the legislative and other business of Parliament and its Committees”.
The committee will hear two petitions by the Republican Liberty Party and Rev. Dennis Ndwiga Nthumbi on Thursday. The MPs will thereafter conduct a cross-examination of the party and the clergy.
Hearing of a petition by Rev. Dennis Ndwiga Nthumbi and Steve Gerry Owour and cross-examinations are slated for Friday
Next week on Monday the committee will conduct a cross-examination and responses of Juliana Cherera and Irene Masit, with that of Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya set for Tuesday.