The IEBC commissioners will on Monday preside over the launch of 2022 Post-Election Evaluation Report, their last public function before exiting office on Tuesday.
The commission chairman Wafula Chebukati, commissioners Prof Abdi Guliye and Boya Mule will leave the office on January 17, having served the constitutional six-year term.
The trio goes in history as the first set of election chiefs to complete constitutional term in office.
Their predecessors were either hounded out of office after elections in what was becoming the tradition at the polls agency.
With the exit of former vice chairperson Juliana Cherera and former commissioners Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi, the commission will from Tuesday be left with not a single commissioner in office.
Commissioner Irine Masit, who is on suspension, is fighting for survival before a tribunal established by President William Ruto.
Chebukati took over from Issack Hassan and his nine-member commission who opted to resign from office after the opposition, Nasa, led by Raila Odinga, protested and called for their removal for allegedly bungling the 2013 general election
The IEBC chairman's tenure has not been smooth sailing, on two occasions - 2017 and 2022 elections- he weathered a heavy onslaught by the Raila-led opposition to have him exit the commission prematurely.
The ODM chief, who was leading the Nasa brigade in 2017, staged weeks of demonstrations against Chebukati who they accused of bungling the polls, which he lost to Uhuru Kenyatta.
The street demonstrations ended with a 2018 'handshake' truce between the two protagonists of the presidential race.
There have also been accusation and counter-accusation on what really transpired on August 15, before the final presidential results were announced during last year's general election.
According to Raila, his votes were ‘stolen’ at Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, and not at the polling stations as leaders of the coalition have claimed.
“In my view, Mr Chebukati is a criminal who should be prosecuted and sentenced to jail, what he has committed is a great crime against humanity and against the people of this country," Raila said in a past interview with Citizen TV.
"I believe very strongly that he (Chebukati) and not the other four commissioners are the ones who should be on the dock."
However, President Ruto has heaped praise on the electoral commission chairman, describing him as a hero who stood firm against state machinery to deliver credible polls.
Over the weekend, the three election chiefs bid farewell to IEBC staff in an emotional ceremony that also provided opportunity to reflect on the achievements and challenges in the last election cycle.
“The commission held final post-election meetings with all IEBC field staff in readiness for the launch of the Post-Election Evaluation Report for the 9th August, 2022 General Election. The report will be launched on Monday 16th January 202,” IEBC said in a statement.
“Participants also proposed areas of improvement as the commission continually strive to move Kenya towards a stronger democracy.”
Molu took to his Twitter handle to express his gratitude to the staff and polls agency for the time he has served.
“Long journey of six years at IEBC is about to come to an end. Looking forward to a happy exit in next few days. Thanks to our staff for this wonderful farewell,” Molu tweeted.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
