Wiper questions IEBC interest in Machakos governorship
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and Machakos governor candidate Wavinya Ndeti address supporters outside Milimani Law Courts on June 21, 2017 shortly after the court quashed IEBC's decision to bar Ms Ndeti from the race. PHOTO | PAUL WAWERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- This comes after the High Court quashed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Disputes Resolution Tribunal’s decision to lock Wavinya Ndeti out of the race for being a member of two political parties at the same time.
- Mr Musyoka accused IEBC of not being independent saying it has meddled in the governorship race claiming that the Wafula Chebukati-led commission was going to be the worst.
Wiper Party has accused the electoral agency of having interests in Machakos governorship race, citing a decision to nullify the party’s candidate’s nomination for the seat.
This comes after the High Court quashed the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Disputes Resolution Tribunal’s decision to lock Wavinya Ndeti out of the race for being a member of two political parties at the same time.
Speaking outside Milimani Law Courts on Wednesday, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka said that IEBC should come out clean on their interest in the Machakos contest for the governor.
Mr Musyoka accused IEBC of not being independent saying it has meddled in the governorship race claiming that the Wafula Chebukati-led commission was going to be the worst.
“Instead of IEBC being a neutral arbitrator, it went to court… what is their interest in Machakos? So IEBC are agents of Jubilee!
COUNTRY WATCHING
“Right now there is no Mutua, no Chap Chap…its time you cleaned Machakos from corruption,” Mr Musyoka told Ms Ndeti.
The Nasa deputy presidential running mate said that the whole country was watching what IEBC was doing.
“The expenses we have incurred in Machakos would have been used in other things. The money would have helped other aspirants vying for MCA, MP and Senate seats,” lamented Mr Musyoka as he accused the IEBC of reneging on its mandate of being a referee to becoming a player.
An emotional Ms Ndeti told her supporters that she had forgiven IEBC for what they had put her through.
She said that those who thought Wiper would not have a candidate in Machakos should now brace for a fierce battle.
NOT FAIR
“IEBC should strive to win the confidence of Kenyans,” she said.
Her running mate, Mr Mathuki, said that this was the eighth time they have been in court as he blamed the IEBC of not being fair.
Their supporters who had converged at the court could not hide their joy as they celebrated her victory through songs and dance as they chanted Nasa slogans.
One of the supporters, Helen Ndinda, said that Ms Ndeti should be given space to seek the governor’s seat saying that she had what it takes as a woman to lead the county in that position.
Another supporter, Agnes Mutua, exuded confidence that Ms Ndeti will be the first woman to be declared governor after the August 8 elections.
