High Court Disqualifies Mohamed Gedi from Fafi MP Race for Holding US, Kenya and Somali Citizenships

The High Court has nullified the candidature of aspiring Fafi MP Mohamed Gedi on grounds of holding citizenship of three countries.

In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Abida Aroni noted that Gedi is not qualified to run for public office since he holds citizenship in Kenya, Somalia, and the United States. Article 78 (2) of the Constitution bars State officers from holding dual citizenship.

Gedi had been cleared by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and issued a certificate to vie for the Fafi parliamentary seat in Garissa County on an Amani National Congress (ANC) party ticket.

Justice Aroni ruled that Gedi's registration by IEBC is unconstitutional as such it is null and void and ordered the clearance certificate he received from the commission to be rescinded immediately.

“The 1st Respondent is not qualified to run for the position of Member of Parliament for Fafi Constituency,” judge Aroni ruled.

Gedi was set to face off with Salah Yakub of the UDA party, Jubilee's Abdikain Osman, and KANU's Mohamed Diis Shafat for the Fafi parliamentary seat in the August 9th general elections.