Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has officially cleared former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the August 9th elections.
This comes a day after the High Court quashed an earlier decision by IEBC to disqualify Sonko from the Mombasa governor race on grounds that he had been impeached from office.
A three-judge bench ruled that Sonko, who is eyeing the seat on a Wiper party ticket, has an appeal pending at the Supreme Court and that he has not exhausted his options for contesting his impeachment. The judges directed the electoral commission to accept Sonko’s documents and clear him to vie for the position of Mombasa governor.
On Thursday, Sonko was issued a nomination certificate after submitting his documents to the Mombasa County Returning Officer.
Following the ruling, IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said they would not appeal the decision as the commission is currently facing serious time constraints in regards to the printing of ballot papers.
Sonko was impeached in December 2020 by the Nairobi County Assembly and the Senate on grounds of gross violation of the constitution, abuse of office, misconduct, and crimes against national law.
He is set to face off with Mvita MP Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (ODM) and former senator Omar Hassan (UDA) in the Mombasa governor’s contest.
Sonko wants to retire from…
Sonko wants to retire from politics. Kalonzo Musyoka should let the man retire in peace.