Mombasa Governor Candidate Takes IEBC To Court

Mombasa Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) gubernatorial candidate Abdullswamad Sharif Nassir had promised to go to court to compel Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Chairman (IEBC) Wafula Chebukati to conduct the elections on Tuesday, August 23 as earlier communicated.

Nassir slammed the commission for postponing the elections indefinitely after the commission cited intimidation and harassment of IEBC officials.

“Postponing the elections in Mombasa is a total abuse of office, such decisions cannot be made by an individual they have to be made by the commission,” Nassir stated.

Mombasa gubernatorial hopeful Abdullswamad Sharif Nassir. /FILE

The ODM candidate further claimed that the IEBC chairman violated the Elections Act and they will seek help from the courts so that the gubernatorial elections shall be held on August 23.

“The Elections Act is very clear as well as Article 55, elections can be postponed in the event of peace instability, Natural disaster or breach of malpractice,” Nassir added.

Mombasa and Kakamega counties were among those affected by the indefinite suspension and the list also includes MPs elections in Kitui, Kacheliba, Pokot South, and Rongai in Nakuru.

MCAs elections in Nyaki West and Kwa Njenga wards in Imenti and Embakasi South were also affected.

"In view of the prevailing circumstances, the Commission has postponed the by-elections slated for 23rd August 2022, to a date to be announced through a gazette notice," read the statement in part.

The gubernatorial elections in Kakamega and Mombasa were initially suspended after inaccurate details of the candidates were found on the ballot papers meant for the two counties.

Ballot papers for Kakamega county governor had wrong pictures of candidates and their details printed on them. Mombasa gubernatorial ballot papers encountered the same issue.

The by-elections would have been influenced by the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)'s victory over the Azimio la Umoja coalition, culminating in the declaration of William Ruto as president-elect, especially in Mombasa which was commonly known as an Azimio hotspot.

Chebukati expressed worry about some of the commission's key staff being intimidated and harassed while carrying out their duties, noting that it has since caused fear among them.

"The Commission is concerned that some of its critical staff who objectively and impartially performed their duties at the National Tallying Centre are being intimidated and harassed through profiling and/or arbitrary arrests.

"This has instilled fear within the staff, who are now unable to report to the office for duty. This harassment must stop forthwith," he noted.

During the announcement of the presidential results, Chebukati, Commissioners Prof. Abdi Guliye and Boya Molu, and CS/CEO Marjan H. Marjan were physically attacked, assaulted, and injured by persons in the company of certain political leaders.

The National Police Service (NPS) stated that police had begun investigations of the chaos at Bomas of Kenya, with CCTV files obtained and forwarded for further forensic analysis.

Heavy security at the Bomas of Kenya ahead of the President-elect announcement. /FILE