BY SAM ALFAN.
Wiper’s Mike Sonko has urged the electoral dispute resolution committee to quash a decision the Mombasa county returning officer declining to clear him to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat.
The party through lawyer Eunice Lumalas and Ochieng Oginga told the committee that Sonko met all qualifications before it settled on him to vie as it’s candidate.
The sentiments were supported by Sonko through his lawyers Alfred Nyamu and Dr John Khaminwa, arguing that the move to bar him appears to be pre-determined.
They told the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission dispute resolution committee that the returning officer failed to clear him to contest as awaited communication from the head office.
The lawyers told the committee that the press statement issued by IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati on June 4 pre-determined the decision of the returning officer.
Sonko called upon the committee members to see through the deliberate machinations being deployed to deny him a chance to vie in the forthcoming general elections.
He said the move would deny voters in Mombasa a chance to elect leaders of their choice.
Sonko also said he has an active appeal pending before the Supreme Court, over his impeachment the the Nairobi county assembly, which is yet to be determined.
“The allegations that I did not present any document in support of that position is preposterous as IEBC and by extension the commission is a party to the Supreme Court Appeal No. 11 of 2022 and thus a simple confirmation from their Advocates would have escertained the same,” added Sonko.
They said there is no offence or criminal case has been established against Sonko to warrant denial for issuing clearing certificate to vie for Mombasa County governor.
Sonko told the Committee his runningmate Ali Mbogo was in Nairobi on May 18 the date the Returning officer claims he attended the meeting and the fact that his names and particulars are on the register are suspect and an act of impersonation.
Sonko further told the committee he presented all the requirements including his degree and certified copy from KEMU University.
He accused the returning officer of introducing extraneous requirements that were not provided for under IEBC requirements including that the degree certificate ought to have been certified by the university.
“I have vied for the same was only certified by a commissioner for oath or a magistrate. This requirement which was introduced only to me in the last minute seems to have been intention to delay the timelines purportedly set by the commission,” Sonko submitted.
Sonko had to pay Sh,2000 to get a certified copy of his certificate from KEMU university.
