Waititu sues IEBC for blocking his quest to contest in Nairobi by-election
Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has sued the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for barring him from running for the Nairobi gubernatorial seat.
In his petition, Waititu wants the court to compel IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati to accept his candidature.
This is after Chebukati barred him from contesting, saying any impeached individual cannot run for an elective seat.
However, High Court Justice Anthony Mrima has certified the matter as urgent and directed Waititu to serve his court papers on all parties before hearing on January 7.
Waititu argues that IEBC actions to bar him amounts to denial of his political rights and fair trial, which is guaranteed under the Constitution.
“I will continue to suffer without the intervention of this Honourable Court, which ought to look at the process that was both illegal and procedural leading to the decision that has been stated by the First Respondent (IEBC),” says Waititu in his court papers.
He accuses IEBC and the anti-graft agency of engaging in a smear campaign against him acting as Judge, Jury and Executioner by convicting him even when the Sh588 million criminal case against him is still pending in court.
He adds that though he faces a corruption case, he has not been convicted of any offence by any court and as such he has the right to vie for the gubernatorial election.
“As it stands, I have not been convicted of any crime and have fully complied with all electoral guidelines,” he said.
