The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has kicked out one of the billionaires eyeing the Nyeri Governor seat.
IEBC made the decision to strike out Brade Gate Poultry Industries owner Thuo Mathenge from the list of candidates on Wednesday morning.
The electoral body's Communications Manager, Andrew Limo confirmed Thuo's removal, adding that the commission would issue a statement later in the day.
Earlier on, Thuo's legal team led by Kioko Kilukumi had written to IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati stating that his client's name must be on the ballot.
The letter stated that should the IEBC fails to gazette Thuo's name, the commission would be forced to pay the candidate a governor's salary for the period of five years.
"The decision of your commission to revoke the Certificate of Nomination of Dr Thuo Mathenge as a gubernatorial candidate for Nyeri County was suspended by the High Court on 19th June 2017.
"In the event of non-compliance of the court order, we have instructions to install contempt proceedings as well as recovery proceedings for each and every our client has expended together with the expected remuneration for the governor's office for a full term," the letter stated.
In April, the Jubilee Party National Elections Board rejected Thuo’s candidature on grounds that he had a fake degree from a Ugandan University.
Before the tribunal's ruling, the Court of Appeal had ordered the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute investigations into the validity of the degree, which Mr Mathenge alleged was awarded to him by Ugandan-based Fairland University.
Justice James Wakiaga also supported the directive to open a probe into how the tycoon got his degree.
In 2013, Mr Mathenge contested for the Nyeri gubernatorial seat on a Saba Saba Asili party ticket and emerged third.
This year's election will see current Governor, Samuel Wamathai and former Vision 2030 director Wahome Gakuru battle in the Nyeri governorship race.
Dr Gakuru trounced Wamathai and Senator Mutahi Kagwe in the Jubilee nominations.
[caption caption="Brade Gate Poultry Industries owner Thuo Mathenge"]
[/caption]
