The High Court sitting in Nairobi has dismissed a petition by Safina party’s Jimi Wanjigi who wanted it to compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to include him on the ballot as a presidential candidate.
The High Court Judge Jairus Ngaah in his verdict delivered on Friday, July 1, found that the petition by Wanjigi lacked merit and had no substantial grounds.
Wanjigi had asked the court to compel IEBC chairperson, Wafula Chebukati, to clear him to run for the presidency despite not having a university degree
Wanjigi argued that he had completed his studies at Daystar University and was set to graduate in later this year.
Through his lawyer Omwanza Ombati, the businessman had argued that the Commission for University Education (CUE) had cleared him and therefore IEBC was infringing on his rights not to clear him to contest in the August 9 polls.
Omwanza further argued that IEBC led by Chebukati had earlier indicated that they lack jurisdiction to decide on the academic credentials of a candidate once given a nod by CUE.
“It confirms that the commission can argue in two ways and causes confusion,” Omwanza stated.
IEBC lawyer defending the commission told judge Ngaah that Wanjiigi had not submitted a physical degree.
Bahati wa mama aende atuletee ngoma. He’s not a politician,, at least not now. 50 M unapewa kama wajakoya? Asi