IEBC to Bar Ferdinard Waititu from Running for Nairobi Governor Seat

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati says impeached leaders cannot contest for elective office.

Chebukati who spoke at Bomas of Kenya on Wednesday clarified that the commission is yet to clear former Kiambu Governor Ferdinard Waititu to run in Nairobi gubernatorial by-election slated for February 18th.

He noted that impeached governors and other leaders found to have violated provisions of Chapter Six of the Constitution on integrity stand no chance of being cleared.

“The commission is a creature of the law. We follow the law and will be guided by the law. The law is very clear for instance that a leader who has been impeached cannot run for an electoral position,” said Chebukati.

The official said no candidate has so far received the commission’s nod to vie for the seat that fell vacant following the impeachment of Mike Sonko.

Chebukati said IEBC will rely on recommendations from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Commission for University Education, High Education Loans Board, the DCI among others to clear aspirants.

“We do not work alone and we have always worked with other institutions like the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to ensure that candidates who are cleared meet the necessary qualifications,” Chebukati added.

Waititu was impeached as Kiambu Governor on January 29th, 2020, on charges of violation of the Constitution and other laws, crimes under the national law, and abuse of office/gross misconduct.