Cherera Four: We Still Don’t Trust Results of 2022 Kenya Presidential Election

During the National Dialogue Committee hearings on Thursday, the echoes of the intense aftermath of the 2022 presidential election resurfaced.

Within the team responsible for overseeing the election, divisions became apparent as one faction expressed their constant lack of trust in the final result. The group aligned with former chairperson Wafula Chebukati refused to participate in the hearings, while the opposing faction, led by former deputy chairperson Juliana Cherera, aimed to disclose their concerns before the committee co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah.

Ms. Cherera and former commissioner Irene Masit expressed their reservations about the process that led to William Ruto’s declaration as president. Ms Cherera acknowledged the personal hardships she endured for speaking out against the process, while Ms Masit, who chose not to resign alongside the rest of the Cherera Four, revealed that she is now living in exile. Francis Wanderi, another former commissioner, stated that the departure of the Cherera Four from the IEBC was forced.

In a statement signed by Mr. Chebukati and former commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, the trio affirm that they fulfilled their responsibilities during their tenure which included successfully overseeing the 2022 General Election.

“During our term in office, we delivered on our mandate, including (the) successful conduct of the 2022 General Election. It is through those elections that the president, governors, senators, members of the national assembly and those of county assemblies now occupy their offices. Some of them are now members of this committee,” a statement, signed by Mr Chebukati and former commissioners Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, read in part.

As part of its mandate, the dialogue committee will investigate the affairs pertaining to the election process, characterized by a slew of incidents ranging from the tabulation of results to the ultimate declaration of Dr Ruto as the duly elected president by the Supreme Court.