Major Win for Moses Kuria Party as High Court Quashes IEBC Order

Chama Cha Kazi candidate Milton Mwenda is set to be included in the upcoming Kiagu Ward, Mer County by-elections.

This is after the High Court on Thursday, October 21, 2021, ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to conduct the mini-polls and include the Moses Kuria-led party candidate.

The Gatundu South Member of Parliament had moved to court to challenge a decision by IEB barring Mwenda from contesting the elections which were initially set to be held on October 14.

File image of Chama cha Kazi candidate Milton Mwenda Kabobo receiving his IEBC clearance certificate alongside Moses Kuria. |Photo|Courtesy|

In a court ruling on September 30, the High Court barred IEBC from conducting the by-elections until it had resolved the issues with Chama Cha Kazi.

IEBC through a statement on September 23, barred Mwendwa from contesting the Kiagu Ward mini-polls set to be held on October 14.

According to the commission, the Chama Cha Kazi aspirant failed to resign from his work as a public servant within the stipulated period of seven days from the declaration of the vacancy.

"The commission’s Leadership and Integrity Vetting Committee has disqualified Milton Mwenda and Nathan Gitonga from contesting in the Kiagu County Assembly ward by-election in Meru County that is slated for 14th October 2021.

"The Committee found the two failed to resign as public officers within the legally provided timeline of 7 days after the declaration of the vacancy. Chama Cha Kazi party has been given the option of nominating another candidate within 72 hours to contest in the by-election," the IEBC statement read in part.

The commission then directed Chama Cha Kazi to present another candidate within 72 hours.

However, Kuria dismissed the request and proceeded to challenge the matter in court.