The Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs will be conducting public hearings on petitions seeking to remove from office four Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Commissioners.
In a notification, the committee said the exercise will start Thursday 24th November to Tuesday 29th November 2022.
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.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula last week approved the petitions and forwarded them to the committee.
Standing Order 230(4) of the National Assembly Standing Orders mandates the Departmental Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs 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”.
“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.
On Thursday, the committee will hear two petitions by the Republican Liberty Party and Rev. Dennis Ndwiga Nthumbi. 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
Responses and cross-examination of Juliana Cherera and Irene Masit will be conducted on Monday, with that of Francis Wanderi and Justus Nyang’aya set for Tuesday next week.
Selection panel
The committee is also calling for public participation/submission of memoranda on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill No 49 of 2022, by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa.
The bill seeks to change the composition of the selection panel that oversees the filling of vacant positions in the commission.
The proposal will enable the Political Parties Liason Committee and the Public Service Commission to each nominate one member to the panel.
Through the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee is also calling for Public Participation/Submission of Memoranda on the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (Amendment) Bill No 49 of 2022, by Majority Leader Hon @KIMANIICHUNGWAH pic.twitter.com/AgOLwt2MG2
— National Assembly KE (@NAssemblyKE) November 21, 2022
