Court: IEBC commissioner hiring was unconstitutional
An Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) commissioner Irene Cherop Masit has suffered a blow after the High Court ruled her appointment to the electoral body was unconstitutional.
Justice Anthony Mrima however did not revoke her appointment to avoid interfering with the August polls.
The judge noted Masit was ineligible for an appointment since five years had not elapsed from the time she contested for an MP seat in 2017.
Masit contested for the Woman Representative post in Elgeyo Marakwet County. The constitution bars persons who have at any time within the preceding five years vied for MP or MCA seats from being appointed as commissioner at the electoral agency.
“She was ineligible for appointment as a member of IEBC since she had stood for an election as an MP in 2017 and lost. Five years had not lapsed at the time of her appointment,” said the judge.
The judge while declining to revoke her appointment noted that it would interfere with the ongoing preparations for the General Election and cause a constitutional crisis.
