IEBC denies Sonko clearance
There was a standoff at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clearance centre in Kenya School of Government (KSG), Mombasa County, after Mike Sonko was denied clearance to run for the county's governor seat.
Sonko arrived at the centre Tuesday afternoon after a court order on Monday lifted a ban issued against him by the IEBC on June 4, 2022.
The electoral commission cited his impeachment as the main reason why he could not be cleared.
At the same time, the former Nairobi governor did not present a certified copy of his degree certificate.
Sonko is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat on a Wiper Party ticket.
He was accompanied by his running mate Kisauni Member of Parliament (MP) Ali Mbogo and former Cabinet minister Chirau Ali Mwakwere.
Sonko disqualified
On Saturday, IEBC had disqualified Sonko from contesting in the Mombasa governor race.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati cited Article 75 (3) which states: “A person who is removed from office on contravention of Chapter 6 of the Constitution is disqualified from holding any other State or public office whether elective or appointive.”
Chebukati added: “The commission’s position is that Article 75 of the Constitution is self-speaking and self-executive and does not have a saving clause. Therefore, the three aspirants who have been removed from public office through impeachment are disqualified from contesting in the elections."
