Safina Party presidential aspirant, Jimi Wanjigi, now says that he is undertaking a master's degree at Daystar University a day after he was disqualified from the presidential race over academic papers.
In a press briefing on Tuesday, June 7, the businessman stated that he was a graduate of the Nairobi-based university. According to a document in our possession, it was revealed that he is undertaking a post-graduate degree in Diplomacy, Development, and International with a major in security studies.
Wanjigi explained that the issue of his graduation had been addressed by the Commission of University Education (CUE) even as he insisted that his academic papers were in order.
The statement by the business tycoon comes a day after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman, Wafula Chebukati, declined to approve Wanjigi's presidential bid for failing to provide his degree certificate.
"I am a graduate and I am in fact doing a master's in diplomacy now at the same school. I have graduated and that is not in question. What we need to ask ourselves is if there is a court order on what graduation is.
"Why is the IEBC changing its goal post when it comes to Wanjigi?" he posed.
Additionally, he stated that he would lodge a complaint with the elections tribunal, stating that Chebukati had shown favoritism among the aspirants.
"We have until the June 9 to lodge a complaint before the IEBC tribunal and from there we are sure they will enforce a court order that is already in place," he added.
While making his determination on Monday, June 6, Chebukati stated that the businessman failed to provide the commission with his degree certificate.
"We have allowed others who have problems with signatures to harmonise, and we can also allow you in the remaining hours to do so. But you must bring a physical copy of your degree certificate before I clear you," Chebukati stated.
However, his running mate and lawyer, Willis Otieno, argued that the transcripts provided to the electoral body were proof that he was a graduate.
"If you have finished your education and have gotten all the transcripts, the university has concluded you and given you a completion letter, it is as good as having a degree. CUE has written to the IEBC confirming this and at that point, the commission has no option but to clear you because they have to recognise it," he argued.
