Renowned activist Okiya Omtatah has filed a petition seeking to have persons with integrity issues barred from vying for political seats in the August 9th elections.
In a petition filed at the High Court in Nairobi, Omtatah says he is concerned that several persons implicated in corruption scandals and theft of public funds have declared interest in various political positions in the forthcoming elections.
The petitioner expressed fears that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is likely to clear contestants with a tainted past, including those who were mentioned in the Covid-19 supplies scandal.
“It is a matter of public notoriety and concern that many people adversely mentioned in the theft of public funds, including the so-called Covid-19 billionaires, are lining up to vie in the August 9th general elections for various positions at the county and national levels of government,” says Omtatah in the petition filed under a certificate of urgency.
He argues that allowing such individuals to vie for public offices is a threat to Kenya’s constitutional order and is detrimental to the country’s good governance, and the war against corruption.
“To normalize the participation of people without integrity in the political life of the republic is to clearly demonstrate a lack of understanding of the obligations placed on elected leaders,” he adds.
Omtatah avers that the best way to ensure good governance, including lack of transparency and accountability in the public sector and theft of public funds, is to ensure that only people with integrity are elected into office at both the county and national levels of government.
Thank you Brother Okiya…
Thank you Brother Okiya Omtatah for taking such a bold move in order to rescue our nation from heartless con artists who want to be elected but lack empathy, humanity or conscience.
As the late Brother Mlipo Tutu once said:
“if you are silent in situations of injustice, you have taken the side of the oppressor.”
IEBC, Director of Criminal Investigation, and Director of Public Prosecution should work together and scrutinize anyone dreaming of running for any public elective office.
All patriotic Kenyans should work together and help our nation become a MKAPA (Make Kenya A Paradise Again).
Good idea Omtatah. But they…
Good idea Omtatah. But they will claim that they are free to vie for any political position as long as they are not convicted of a crime by a court of law. I think we should compile a list of shame and have it published every day in every newspaper and social media until such an individual is cleared by court.
We shall insists that…
We shall insists that whoever has been mentioned in corruption, just a mention, should FIRST clear their names, in a COURT of law, before HOLDING any public service…show us a CLEARANCE certificate… That way, God grant my wishful thinking, the waiguru’s would be the ones chasing for court cases to be finalized sooner than later.
All of them are corrupt it…
All of them are corrupt it is just that some have not been caught yet.You seem to be wasting time with this lawsuits or is it just the free publicity you seek they say the law is an ass who decides which politicians are cleared to run and which are not.Is that not the job of IEBC how about dedicating your time to find justice for election victims like Tom Msando and the madam he was found with .To this day their families are still waiting for answers
Omtatah has chosen his…why…
Omtatah has chosen his…why can’t you, Mr. Righteous, chose to fight for Tom Msandos and all that you think is important to you? Amecbagua lake, chagua lako.
Do you know the deposit of…
Do you know the deposit of filing such case is more than shs 10m?That is the problem with your expensive/useless katiba.I know of a group which wanted to challenge funding of private political parties owned by individuals.It was passed by foolish hungry billionaire Kenyans without reading it.They also wanted to scrap the unconstitutional WOMEN REPs if MEN REPs won’t also be elected.The registrar ordered them to deposit shs 10m on each prayer.That was in 2012.
Omtatah, patia hao wezi…
Omtatah, patia hao wezi matata.
I fully back you on this…
I fully back you on this matter Mr.Omutatah.For the love of Kenya, I would be shocked if anybody does not support Omutatah’s petition.If there is one, that’s a public enemy. I truly hope that you succeed.Infact tainted politicians on their own volition should cancel their candidacy.Yes, I know its a wishful thinking…
Candidates should only be cleared to run after they pass ethical and integrity tests.We have seen what happens when we elect officials with questionable characters.They go in purely for their own selfish reasons.
Yes character matters.When you elect thieves,dont complain when they steal.That’s what they do.Again I remind the voters to cast their voted for worthy candidates.Candidates with integrity.And if there arent any in the pool,@ formerly guest 2,lets take our chances with news candidates.This is a case where the devil you know is a bad choice.Same people same results.
One of the useless idiot who…
One of the useless idiot who always get money to hang around our courts??Who is the piper who always funds your stupidity juu u never ever take the opposition destitute to courts?I have followed you omtata for years n we know who funds you.Majority of our so called false leaders r corrupt.Hopefully u have included the Pandora n Kemsa case on your cases
Problem No.1 with such…
Problem No.1 with such petition will be taking sides.Anybody involved in illegal deals since independence including first and second maize scandals,coffee scandal,land grabbing,goldenburg,anglolisng,tribal crashes etc should be banned.Those who sponsored the 07/08 PEV but corruptly escaped justice must be banned.Omtatah should start with present MPs and senators who corruptly increased their pay by shs 450000 immediately after 2017 elections without involvement of SRC.The MPs abused their office.
The yard stick has not…
The yard stick has not changed “Innocent until proved guilty”. If being “mentioned” in a scandal is enough, then, no Kenyan qualify.
The public we are so eager…
The public we are so eager to protect is more often than not the problem. I don’t know whether Governor Waiguru Embezzled NYS money or NOT. No court of law has determined that to my Knowledge. But in the Middle of the Saga , Kirinyaga People elected her Governor……While in office there was mention of more financial mismanagement issues raised by MCAs…She is still on the Ballot with good Following in Kirinyaga….may be reviving a vibrant civil society may be of more help
Go gooooo… ooh OKiya…
Go gooooo… ooh OKiya. Almost all of them are corrupt