It is a sigh of relief for Kiambu, senatorial candidate Karungo wa Thang'wa after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission clarified that the it will form a corrigendum Notice to gazette him as a candidate.
This barely comes a day after IEBC gazetted the list of candidates contesting for various political seats, leaving out Karungo Thang’wa.
Chebukati, when asked on the matter, stated that the case of Thangw'a was different indicating that the young senatorial hopeful could make a comeback to the political scene.
“The other matter related to Thang’wa, I think that we have received a court order and am sure the Returning officer has complied with that court order and in a case like that we shall prepare a corrigendum to the gazette notice,” Chebukati Stated
Karungo was facing a court battle in regards to his removal from office - the grounds on which IEBC found him unfit to hold public office. However, the High Court quashed the decision by the electoral commission to disqualify Karungo.
Karungo survived the axe after Justice Racheal Ng’etich ruled that there was no evidence of corruption laid before any court to warrant his removal from office.
“This court finds no reason to bar Karungo from vying for the Kiambu Senator Position,” Justice Ng’eticH in his ruling stated.
The judge also clarified that the Kiambu Returning Officer should issue Karungo with a clearance certificate to run for the seat. Furthermore, the court also ordered Chebukati to include Karungo’s name on the ballot papers.
Karungo Thang’wa is now expected to battle it out with Caroline Makena of Kenya National Congress, Alice Wangari of Tujibebe Wakenya Party,George Maara of Jubilee, Micheal Waikenda of Chama Cha Kazi, George Wangongu of Safina Party and Joseph Wanjiru of Usawa kwa Wote Party.
Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko was also left out in the IEBC's gazetted list. Sonko who was seeking to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat was locked out on integrity grounds.
On the other hand, Mathare parliamentary hopeful Kevin Kioko - Bahati got a lifeline after his name was gazetted. Bahati has been under pressure to shelve his bid in favour of the incumbent Anthony Oluoch of ODM.
Thang'wa worked under ousted Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu before he was accused of corruption.
