Former Independent and Electronic Boundaries Commision (IEBC) commissioners Juliana Cherera and Irene Masit have revealed that they are in Exile.
Speaking before the Bi partisan committee at the Bomas of Kenya on Thursday, September 28, Masit and Cherera, who joined the session on Zoom, stated that they were unable to physically attend the session because they were out of the country.
In an emotional speech, Masit narrated that she was forced to travel abroad adding that she had never gone home since the announcement of the 2022 elections results.
“I am outside of the country for security reasons. Remember, I come from Rift Valley, and I have never stepped in my home since that time.
Also Read: Chebukati to Testify Against ‘Cherera Four’
“I got calls from people telling me to drop the case, but I knew that it was my constitutional right, I knew what I was doing,” Masit stated.
Moreover, she revealed that the commissioners had not received their salaries since the announcement of the presidential results, noting that she was living at the mercy of well-wishers.
“I am not even doing well because the salaries we earn were stopped, even the one third we should get during the case was stopped. We are living at the mercy of people outside,” she added.
Cherera Shares Her Grievances in Exile
Cherera also narrated her ordeal lamenting that her stand regarding the presidential elections results hurt and affected her family.
She stated that her seven-year-old son could not continue with his normal school life because her sir-name had been used to brand the team that disagreed with the results.
“I have a small family and my last born is seven years old. It was bad for him even in school. Our lives were distorted,” she lamented.
Also Read: IEBC Vice Chairperson Juliana Cherera Resigns
Further, Cherera stated that she was forced to resign because of the unrest in the country.
According to her, the people of Kenya would have resulted to chaos and bloodshed if she did not make that move.
“When our security was withdrawn, it was said continuously that the Cherera four should resign. The opposition began saying that they would protest to stop the resignation and it is there and then that I decided to resign.
“I did not want any Kenyan blood to be shed in my name. I resigned for the sake of this country,” she added.
Cherera Maintains Her Stand on Elections Results
Nonetheless, Cherera maintained her stance on the 2022 presidential elections results stating that she was not involved in the final tallying process.
“The screens went black on Friday, and I asked the chair to fix the screens. The chairman said that he was busy and continued tallying alone and with selected individuals,” she narrated.
Further, she called for an audit of the elections, adding that the servers ought to be opened and the matter put to rest once and for all.
“I want to submit that this election be audited, the servers should be opened, and forensic audit should happen. Let us put this thing to rest. After the audit, let us move on,” added Cherera.
