IEBC Panel Dismisses a Petition to Block Polycarp Igathe’s Nairobi Governor Bid

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dispute Resolution Committee has dismissed a petition seeking to have Polycarp Igathe disqualified from the Nairobi governor’s race.

In a ruling on Wednesday, the panel noted that the complaint filed by George Bush lacked merit and that he did not provide sufficient evidence to support his allegations against Igathe.

Bush wanted Igathe disqualified from the Nairobi governorship contest on grounds that he absconded duty when served as the Nairobi Deputy Governor between May 2017 and January 2018.

He argued that Igathe, who is vying for the seat under the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition party, is unfit to hold public office after he resigned as the Nairobi Deputy Governor without notice.

But Nairobi County Returning Officer (CRO) Albert Gogo discounted the allegations by Bush, saying that there is no tangible evidence that Igathe abdicated his duties.

Bush also submitted that after Igathe stepped down from the position and later on the impeachment of Governor Mike Sonko, Nairobi residents were subjected to suffering.

“The committee abides that there is no evidence or material placed before it to fault the decision of the CRO regarding the registration of the interested party. And the committee hereof upholds the CRO’s decision with respect to the complaint in this matter," the IEBC panel ruled.