EACC wants Mwangi wa iria and other two presidential aspirants barred

With 68 days to the general elections, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) now wants 241 aspirants who include Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria barred from vying for presidency on grounds of lack of integrity.

In a letter by EACC Chief Executive Officer Twalib Mbarak to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), the Anti-graft agency has also raised integrity issues on 61 aspirants vying for gubernatorial positions including former governors Mike Sonko and Evans Kidero.

” EACC forwards herewith a Report, with information on some candidates which is deemed relevant for consideration by the IEBC as it exercises its mandate under Article 88(4)(f) of the Constitution for purposes of registering candidates for the 2022 General Election. This information is as per our records as well as information furnished by various entities, as at 31st May, 2022. Please note that the Commission is conducting further verification on some of the aspirants and will avail the information as and when obtained,” read part of letter.

They want Mwangi wa Iria barred on grounds of obstructing EACC investigators and destruction of evidence when executing a search warrant.

Former Nairobi governor Evans Kidero now vying for Homa bay gubernatorial seat on an independent ticket is on the spot for allegations of impropriety, corruption and economic crime while serving as the Governor Nairobi City County.

His successor Mike Sonko now vying for Mombasa gubernatorial seat is viewed unsuitable by EACC after being impeached by the Nairobi county assembly and the senate.

Other former governors that the EACC want barred from the ballot include Nadhif Jama of Garissa, Godhana Doyo of Isiolo and Daniel Waithaka of Nyandarua County.

Governor Ann Waiguru of Kirinyaga, Muthomi Njuki of Tharaka Nithi and Fahim Twaha of Lamu have also been blacklisted by the anti-graft agency on grounds of corruption.

The EACC has also raised integrity issues regarding 83 aspirants seeking various positions in Parliament.

The commission says that further to the above moral and ethical requirements, the Constitution in Article 75(3) provides that a person who has been removed or dismissed from office for
contravention of the requirements in Articles 75(1), 76, 77 or 78(1) is disqualified from
holding any other state office.

In addition, the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act, 2003 and the Bribery Act, 2016 provide for disqualifications from being elected or appointed to public office in respect of persons convicted of offences under the said laws.