Tuju, Nick Salat visited ‘Cherera four’ at Yaya hotel, manager tells tribunal

The suspended commissioner, alongside former Vice Chair Juliana Cherera alongside ex-commissioners Justus Nyang’aya and Francis Wanderi, are being probed over their conduct after they disputed the presidential election results declared by the IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati in August.

Appearing before the Justice Aggrey Muchelule-led tribunal on Thursday, the accommodations manager at Yaya apartments Simon Miller confirmed that the four commissioners were booked into the premise between the aforesaid dates and stayed in rooms 21, 23 and 27 together with their security detail.

"On arrival, two of the lady commissioners stayed in room 21 and two of the gentlemen stayed in room 23 and then security stayed in 27," he told the tribunal.

Mr Miller, a witness appearing on behalf of the hotel, noted that the four commissioners "checked in on the 15th at night and checked out on the afternoon of the 19th."

He added that on the day the commissioners checked in, they did not issue their personal documents to key in the accommodation details and also did not personally sign the log books.

"We insisted on getting documents and we were promised to get them the next day," stated Miller. 

"The commissioners did not sign the booking but their security details are the ones who signed. We had asked two of them to sign the documents on behalf of the rest and did not want to spend much time at the reception. Two payments were done via M-Pesa and one in cash by Edwin Ogwe."

For further proof, the tribunal analysed CCTV footage presented before the committee, where commissioner Massit was seen entering a lift from the basement with the aid of the hotel's chief of security.

Mr Miller went on to add that while the commissioners were staying in the hotel, prominent leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition paid them a visit.

Citing records seen from the visitor's logs, Miller told the tribunal that Azimio's Executive Director Raphael Tuju visited room 21 accompanied by his security personnel.

"Hon Tuju was seen in the visitor's record and vehicle movements logs," he said. 

He added that on August 18, Kanu Secretary General Nick Salat also visited room 21.

Miller also noted that one Samuel Onyango visited room 21 on August 16 and one George Mungare Kigoro visited the same room on August 18.  

Mr Miller pointed out that a number of the hotel's employees who might have possibly seen the commissioners during their three-day stay are no longer working at the premise.