IEBC Disqualifies Sonko from Vying for Mombasa Governor Seat

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been disqualified from contesting for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the August 9th elections.

Speaking at a media briefing on Saturday, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati said all aspirants who were previously impeached from public office stand disqualified from contesting in an election.

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.

Also disqualified from vying in the upcoming election is former Kiambu County Executive Committee (CEC) member Karungo Thang’wa, who is eyeing the Kiambu Senate seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party ticket. Thang’wa was impeached by the Kiambu County Assembly in October 2019 while serving as the CEC in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports.

In disqualifying Sonko and Thang’wa, Chebukati cited Article 75(3) which states, “A person who is removed from office on contravention of Chapter 6 of the Constitution is disqualified from holding any other State or public office whether elective or appointive.”

“The Commission’s position is that Article 75 of the Constitution is self-speaking and self-executing…. Therefore the three aspirants who have been removed from public office through impeachment are disqualified from contesting in the elections," said Chebukati.