Three Judges to decide fate of aspirants with integrity cases

Chief Justice Martha Koome has picked a three-judge bench to hear a case seeking to have persons with integrity issues blocked from vying in the 2022 General Elections.

The judges who will hear eight consolidated petitions include David Majanja (Presiding), Chacha Mwita and Mugure Thande.

The petitions are challenging the suitability of Mombasa gubernatorial aspirant Mike Sonko Mbuvi impeached by the Senate while serving as Nairobi county boss.

Former Kiambu governor who is seeking a comeback is also in the same boat and has been listed as an interested party by one of the petitioners.

The High Court last week declined to bar the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from clearing Sonko to contest the Mombasa Gubernatorial seat.

Two petitioners had sought prayers to stop IEBC from declaring or publishing Sonko in the Kenya gazette as a candidate until a petition challenging his suitability is heard and determined.

Instead, the Court directed that the petition is consolidated with another two similar petitions filed in Eldoret.

The CJ and DPP have maintained that impeached governors and convicted politicians should be barred from holding public offices until their names and verdicts are cleared and upended by the court.

More to follow