Editor's Review

The denial caused a standoff at the IEBC offices as the governor tried to negotiate his way to be cleared.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has been denied clearance to vie for the Mombasa governor seat.

His impeachment while serving as Nairobi Governor formed the basis of being denied clearance.

At the same time, IEBC notified the governor that he could not be cleared since his degree had not been certified by the Commission of University Education.

{Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko denied clearance to vie. IMAGE: COURTESY}

IEBC Mombasa County Returning officer (RO) Swalhah Ibrahim said the three-judge bench's decision to quash IEBC from disqualifying Sonko from vying, “did not order IEBC to clear Sonko to vie for Mombasa Governor seat”.

The decision of the court (three-judge bench) had quashed what the IEBC chairman had said but did not order the IEBC to clear Sonko, the IEBC officer argued.

"In as much the High Court quashed the decision of the chairman as you say, it did not give or direct the commission orders to accept his papers. We stand by the chair’s decision. Sonko is blocked," said Swalhah.The denial caused a standoff at the IEBC offices as the governor tried to negotiate his way to be cleared.

The aspiring governor had arrived at the Kenya School of Government (KSG) for clearance by IEBC.

Sonko is eyeing the Mombasa governor seat on the Wiper Party ticket.

He was accompanied by his running mate Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, former Matuga MP Chirau Mwakwere.