Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko now says he will be on the ballot in the August 9th polls.
Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati Saturday disqualified Sonko from the Mombasa gubernatorial race.
According to Chebukati, Sonko was unfit to hold public office following his impeachment for abuse of office.
Chebukati further noted that Article 75 (3) of the Constitution, does not allow individuals found to have violated Chapter Six of the Constitution to hold public office, either through election or appointment.
With God’s grace and through your prayers, I will be on the ballot
Sonko
“The commission’s position is that Article 75 of the Constitution is self-speaking and self-executing and therefore aspirants removed from office through impeachment are disqualified from contesting in the election,” said Chebukati.
Court Case
Sonko took to Twitter to dismiss the announcement made by the electoral commission.
“With God’s grace and through your prayers, I will be on the ballot,” wrote Sonko.
He argued that the Constitution does not deny aspirants with pending court cases from vying for elective seats.
“The Constitution of Kenya cannot be read or applied selectively to favor the interests of our political enemies. Those who read Article 75 without reading article 99(3) and Article 193(3) are wrong,” tweeted Sonko.
He furthered, “The two articles state: 99 (3) A person is not disqualified under clause (2) unless all possibility of appeal or review of the relevant decision has been exhausted. 193 (3) A person is not disqualified under clause (2) unless all possibilities of appeal are exhausted.”
The former governor said that Chebukati could have waited for the final verdict of his case.
Sonko’s case will be determined by three-judge bench on Tuesday.
