IEBC hailed for blacklisting aspirants with integrity issues
The decision by the electoral body to lock out candidates with integrity queries has won accolades from various aspirants in Kiambu who termed it as a big leap in the war against corruption.
Led by Thika Town MP Patrick Wainaina 'Jungle', the politicians who included Jubilee Party parliamentary aspirants David Ngari Gakuyo (Thika Town) and Aloise Kinyanjui (Juja), separately welcomed IEBC's move saying it heralds a new front in fighting run way graft.
Among those struck out of the list of contestants for various seats by IEBC were Mombasa governorship hopeful Mike Sonko (Wiper Party) and Karungo Thangw'a (senatorial contender for Kiambu - UDA) who were hounded out of office through impeachment.
"This is a milestone in the history of Kenya and the war against corruption. People with integrity issues should never be allowed to seek leadership because if elected they will use the same positions to protect their I'll gotten property," said Wainaina who is running for the Kiambu governor seat independently.
Speaking after attending a family day event at St Mulumba Catholic Church in Makongeni, Thika in which 30 couples renewed their marriage vows, the legislator appealed to the electorate to vote for leaders based on their track record and not party affiliation.
"I want to ask IEBC to stay firm and not allow anyone to intimidate them by claiming that the list of voters in certain areas has been tampered with," Wainaina said in reference to some allegations by Kenya Kwanza leaders that one million voters were struck out of the register.
At the same time, the MP asked the church to help the public do an audit of people seeking political seats by giving them a chance to explain their agenda, rather than lock them out.
Gakuyo who also attended the same function hailed the IEBC move saying it goes a long way to bolster Jubilee Party and President Uhuru Kenyatta's commitment to the fight against graft.
"We hail IEBC's decision to blacklist aspirants with corruption issues as this is the spirit of our Jubilee party. We should not recycle people who have been impeached," he stated.
Separately, Kinyanjui who spoke to while distributing food to residents of Maraba and Nyacaba villages also urged the electoral body not to falter in its resolve to uphold integrity.
"This sends a strong message to those who think IEBC will give them a ticket to continue plundering public resources," Kinyanjui said.
