The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has barred former Nairobi Governor, Mike Mbuvi Sonko, from contesting for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat.
IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, stated that a person who is removed from office on grounds of violating Chapter Six of the Constitution of Kenya is barred from contesting.
Sonko was barred alongside Kiambu Senatorial hopeful, Paul Karungo Thangwa, who was impeached by the Kiambu County Assembly shortly after his then boss, Kiambu Governor, Ferdinand Waititu, was impeached.
Chebukati stated that Sonko and other impeached leaders are also barred from taking up any appointive roles in the government.
"The reason for disqualification was and remains that he was removed from office for abuse of public office. He was convicted by the court on December 15, 2011, and sentenced to three years imprisonment," Chebukati explained the reason for Sonko's disqualification.
Bomas of Kenya on Monday, May 23, 2022
"The three aspirants who were impeached are disqualified from contesting. A person who is removed from office on contravention of Chapter 6 of the Constitution is disqualified from holding office, elective or appointed," Chebukati explained.
IEBC, however, cleared aspirants who are under investigation to contest in the August 9 polls saying that they can only be barred once convicted by a court of law.
"Cases of aspirants under investigation are 11; one presidential aspirant and 10 gubernatorial aspirants. They are not disqualified by law and may contest, in keeping with the presumption of innocence until proven guilty," the IEBC chair remarked.
In the case of aspirants who are battling cases in court, the IEBC stated that those with active ongoing cases will be allowed to run.
"In keeping with the presumption of innocence until the contrary is proved, 55 cases of aspirants undergoing active prosecution in court have not been disqualified by law and may contest in the August 9 elections as candidates," Chebukati noted.
IEBC also cleared those convicted but with active appeals in courts of law. In this case, Sirisia MP, John Waluke, was cleared to contest in the upcoming polls.
Acquitted persons have also been cleared to run, with Chebukati noting that they are qualified to contest.
The Commission also noted that one gubernatorial aspirant was disqualified for failure to produce a valid degree certificate. Initially, it had received two names of gubernatorial aspirants with questionable academic certificates.
The Commission further explained that it will give a more comprehensive report once electoral officers review all the documents presented by other aspirants.
