Embattled IEBC commissioners have formally agreed to resign, ending several tumultuous months of political confrontation and violent demonstrations.
It was a clear victory for Cord, which called the protests to demand the removal of the team of nine, saying they were biased and incapable of holding fair and credible elections in 2017.
The commissioners said at Parliament buildings on Wednesday that they will step aside in the interests of the country if they receive a "dignified" send-off package.
They set two other conditions; that they not be investigated any further for alleged wrongdoing and that secretariat staff be retained for continuity in organising the poll.
The general election will take place on August 8, 2017. It is just 12 months and four days off.
The Joint Select Committee on electoral reform, which ended public hearings on Wednesday, will now decide how their exit will be arranged and the terms.
The commissioners said they were ready to leave office and will not be a stumbling block to a dignified political settlement.
"Commissioners are few and the country is bigger than us. The commission will not stay in the way of a political settlement," said chairman Issack Hassan.
Hassan said they did not want to hinder electoral reforms. He noted secretariat staff were ready for the general election.
Commissioner Kule Godana said: "This country needs strong institutions. We should not keep breaking institutions."
Commissioner Albert Bwire said: "I am a nationalist… I am available for any other duty."
Their colleague Yusuf Nzibo said he would leave with his held high as they serve and leave with dignity.
Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, who has been co-chairing a special committee on IEBC matters, thanked the commissioners for agreeing to step aside.
"Thank you for making sacrifices for this country for the sake of free and fair elections," he said at Parliament buildings on Wednesday.
"It is something that is not to be taken for granted," he added and announced that a pay deal will be reached.
Co-chairperson Siaya senator James Orengo also thanked the commissioners saying they had "spoken like patriots."
"You go down in history as patriots," he said.
IEBC bosses dug in their heels on Tuesday and signaled a protracted legal battle over attempts to kick them out.
They rubbished the mandate of the House electoral reforms committee as illegal.
In a 17-page response to the committee, the electoral body's chiefs said Parliament had no power to sack any of its staff, including CEO Ezra Chiloba.
Source: The Star
MY TAKE: Baada ya shinikizo kubwa kutoka kwa wananchi, upinzani na NGO hatimaye tume ya uchaguzi Kenya imejiuzulu kuruhusu kuundwa tume mpya itakayosimamia uchaguzi huru na wa haki 2017.
Tanzania pamoja na kuwepo malalamiko mengi kuhusu Uhuru na utendaji wa tume ya uchaguzi Tanganyika na uhuni mkubwa wa Jecha Zanzibar inasikitisha hamna hatua yeyete ya kuwajibisha wahusika.
Hii ndio Tanzania ya unafiki.