IEBC Revokes Mike Sonko’s Clearance to Vie for Mombasa Governor

Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has revoked the clearance of former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to vie for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat.

This comes after the Supreme Court dismissed Sonko’s appeal challenging his impeachment as Nairobi governor, declaring that he was fairly removed from office.

"In adherence to the Supreme Court judgement you are therefore disqualified from holding any public office and thus disqualified from contesting and being elected as the governor of Mombasa or any other county. Your candidature is invalidated and your certificate revoked," IEBC said in a letter to Sonko.

While dismissing Sonko’s appeal, the apex court ruled that the impeachment proceedings against him before the County Assembly and the Senate were properly conducted in accordance with Article 181 of the Constitution, Section 33 of the County Governments Act and Standing Orders of the County Assembly and the Senate.

Article 75(3) of the Constitution states that “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.”

Sonko was cleared to vie for the Mombasa governor seat on Thursday, a day after the High Court quashed an earlier decision by IEBC to disqualify him on grounds that he had been impeached from office.

A three-judge bench ruled that Sonko, who is eyeing the seat on a Wiper party ticket, has an appeal pending at the Supreme Court and that he has not exhausted his options for contesting his impeachment. 

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.

The former governor has since moved to the East African Court of Justice to challenge the Supreme Court ruling.