By Mujidu Victor
Mombasa High Court disseminates orders to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to stop clearing the ex-Nairobi governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko from contesting Mombasa gubernatorial seat.
Orders were issued by the High Court on Thursday 19th 2022 following a series of petitions filed by three different social organisations.
The entreaty from Transparency International, Haki Yetu and Kituo cha Sheria comprehensively report why Sonko does not fit in vying for Mombasa gubernatorial position.
Sonko was peeled off as Nairobi governor following suspicions of constitution violation, gross misconduct, corruption and disdaining of his integrity while serving as governor.
Mombasa County High Court Justice John Mativo directed that IEBC should be rein strained from processing Sonko’s nomination papers in contesting the Mombasa governor seat.
“I order that IEBC be restrained from Sonko’s nomination papers to contest for Mombasa governor seat pending hearing and determination of his application,” Mativo stated.
However, in his petition, Sonko has listed the first correspondent followed by the Wiper party and IEBC falling on the third correspondent ode.
Similar petitions are reported to have been filed by two Mombasa residents; Ndoro Kaguya and George Odhiambo seeking conservatory orders, stopping IEBC from clearing Sonko.
Meanwhile, the number of petitions filed against Sonko’s litigation in eying the Mombasa gubernatorial seat breaks down to three. One from Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret courts. Both want Sonko to be barred from contesting.
One of the requisitions filed against Sonko was about the time-bound to election calendar, thus there is a likelihood of IEBC giving Sonko a room to contest if only the interim orders will not be taken into full consideration.
“The election calendar is time-bound and there is a likelihood that if the interim orders are not granted IEBC will clear Sonko.” Quote from the petition.
The three petitions are allegedly planned to be transferred to the Chief Justice Martha Koome for consolidation on whether Sonko will be approved to contest or denied the opportunity.
If Sonko will be granted the opportunity to contest, he will face other candidates such as Omar Hassan of UDA, Abdullswamad Sheriff Nassir of ODM, William Kingi of PAA and Awiti Bolo of VDP.
Sonko’s case will be mentioned on 24th May 2022.
