IEBC Insists Wavinya Ndeti Unfit to Contest for Machakos Governor

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has remained firm in its decision to bar Machakos governorship aspirant Wavinya Ndeti from vying, even as she puts up efforts to be reinstated in the race.

IEBC says Wavinya employed political mischief hatched by Wiper Party to bypass party resignation laws after learning that she did not qualify to run with Wiper.

Wanyiva, the former Kathiani Member of Parliament, however maintains that she followed the rules and ensured that she was in the Wiper Party’s members list before time, which is the main bone of contention.

IEBC lawyer Paul Nyamondi told Justice George Odunga that Wavinya based her Wiper membership through a coalition agreement with Chama cha Uzalendo (CCU) dated April 24 this year. "The applicant became a member of CCU on March 29 and resigned on the same day. It is very strange indeed," said Nyamodi. "There is no indication that she became a member of Wiper on April 6, 2017.

He added: "A membership certificate dated April 24, 2017 shows that she became a member of Wiper by a coalition agreement. She was a member of two parties. The applicant made futile attempts to leave CCU and she has not left. She cannot therefore be eligible for nomination by Wiper."

Nyamodi told the court a letter of resignation letter presented before it by the aspirant could have been forged as it never featured anywhere when the case was before the IEBC tribunal.

"There was never a letter in IEBC's tribunal case reply. The letter for recognition for resignation is not genuine. It was written as a result of IEBC ruling," he said.