Why IEBC Allowed Miguna to Vote Despite Deportation

Embattled lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Embattled lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Courtesy Miguna Miguna

Exiled lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada on Tuesday, August 9, despite the fact that he was deported in 2018 by the government.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) allowed the vocal lawyer to vote since he possesses a valid passport and ID that have previously been presented before court as he fought to be granted access to the country.

Miguna was born in Kenya and the question of his citizenship was proved in a court of law he had also voted in 2017, hence the IEBC could not stop him from participating in the elections this year.

Embattled lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Embattled lawyer Miguna Miguna cast his vote in Canada on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Courtesy Miguna Miguna

He shared his experience on social media where he declared that his vote was in favour of UDA Presidential candidate Deputy President William Ruto and his running mate Rigathi Gachagua.

The lawyer has been living in Canada for close to 5 years now after the government controversially deported him in early 2018.

Elections are a pain point for Miguna since they cost him his freedom to access the country and the government has disobeyed court orders to allow the lawyer back in Kenya.

In 2021, Miguna's return to the country from Canada received a boost after the government informed the court that the red alerts he complained of were not in existence. 

Miguna, through advocate Dr John Khaminwa, wanted the court to order the lifting of red alerts issued by the Kenyan government to two international airlines; Air France and Lufthansa Group (operating as German Airlines), to allow him to travel to Kenya.

The lawyer was deported soon after the 2017 election, days after orchestrating the mock swearing-in of Odinga who had lost the election to Kenyatta. He was sworn in as the People’s President at an event held at Uhuru Park on January 30, 2018.

He switched his alliance from Raila Odinga after the March 2018 handshake with President Uhuru Kenyatta and accused the former Prime Minister of abandoning him when the government was baying for his blood.

In March 2022, Miguna endorsed the Deputy President's presidential bid stating that he was far much better than his former ally the Azimio La Umoja candidate Raila Odinga.

Miguna, who is known not to have kind words for President Uhuru Kenyatta and Odinga, opined that electing DP Ruto was the only way to end impunity in the country.

“I Miguna Miguna 100 per cent endorse William Ruto and I ask Kenyans to vote for him so that we can put an end to dynastic tyranny,” Miguna told Look Up TV in an interview from Canada.

The embattled lawyer also claimed that individuals from the Azimio camp had approached him and asked him to support their flagbearer, Raila Odinga.

“I can’t endorse Raila, I was approached by a good friend of mine from central who is in Azimio who was sent to talk to me but his efforts were unsuccessful. But I can’t do that," he declared.

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An Image of lawyer Miguna Miguna in his office in Canada
Miguna Miguna