Why Shollei Was Heckled In Front of President Ruto

The National assembly deputy speaker and Uasin Gishu Women representative Gladys Jepkosgei Boss Shollei was badly heckled in front of President William Ruto during a post-poll retreat at Pride Inn Beach Hotel in Mombasa.

But President Ruto was unruffled by the drama that unfolded at the retreat as Hon. Shollei struggled to counter minority leader Opiyo Wandayi’s remarks on the reconstitution of Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) after the exit of Chaiman Wafula Chebukati, and his team.

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Shollei who was the master of ceremony during high profile retreat, was forced to invited majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa to help controlling the damage she suffered in front of the president.

She was heckled down by opposition MPs but she put up a brave face to defend the government’s position on reconstituting the electoral commission ahead of the 2027 general elections.

She quickly invited Ichung’wa to make his remarks to continue with the day’s programme after Wandayi alleged that the IEBC’s integrity is being tainted before the next general elections.

Ugunja lawmaker told the forum that there is doubt about the IEBC’s integrity as he cautioned those at the retreat not to end the four-day forum without addressing the perennial problems the electoral body has faced over the years.

“Today, just like the elections of 2007 which were marred by skirmishes, the integrity of IEBC is being put into question,” Wandayi said.

The process to replace Chebukati and commissioners Boya Molu and Abdi Guliye started off in October 2022 after President Ruto, through a gazette notice said that the tenure of the chairman and two commissioners was set to lapse on January 17, 2023.

“Therefore, in the exercise of the powers conferred by Section 7A (2) of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act as read with Paragraph 1(1) of the First Schedule of IEBC Act, I notify of impending vacancies in the position of chairperson and two members of the IEBC on January 17, 2023,” Ruto said.

The law requires the president to appoint a selection panel to appoint their replacements, six months before the lapse of their terms.