Why Cherera was nearly slapped by Chebukati

Why Cherera was nearly slapped by Chebukati

Details have emerged about a heated debate that ensued between former Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera and her boss, Wafula Chebukati.

Sources privy to the meeting that happened two days before the August general elections told Kenya Regional News that Wafula Chebukati and Juliana Cherera disagreed on policy matters concerning the general elections.

Cherera wanted other government officials to be involved in the process, a suggestion that Chebukati disagreed with. At some point, Chebukati got angry, he rose up and pushed his way toward Cherera, but he was restricted by other commissioners present.

Cherera led the four dissenting commissioners during the announcement of the August presidential elections. The four disagreed with Chebukati terming the results as opaque.

“But some things need to be put out there, as you can see the four of us are here and not at Bomas, where the results are going to be announced, because of the opaque nature of how this phase has been handled,” Cherera said while disputing the results.

On December 5, 2022, Cherera penned her resignation letter to the president, saying that her actions were misjudged and misinterpreted.

“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 consultation with my family and lawyers, I accept that my stay at the commission is no longer tenable and therefore choose to vacate,” her resignation read in part.

Her resignation comes hours after the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, called for mass action in protest of the ongoing purge at the IEBC.