Editor's Review

Sonko remained hopeful saying he will be cleared to vie for the seat.

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has hit back at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairman Wafula Chebukati over the decision to lock him out of the Mombasa Gubernatorial race.

Speaking in Narok County on Saturday, June 4, when he accompanied Kalonzo Musyoka to drum up support for the Azimio candidate Raila Odinga, Sonko remained hopeful saying he will be cleared to vie for the seat.

He told off Mr. Chebukati, claiming IEBC had not given him fair chance like all the other leaders who are also facing corruption-related cases but have been cleared to run.

According to Sonko, Chebukati should have waited for Monday when three judges will be deliberating on an appeal he had lodged before the courts.

"Today I saw my friend Chebukati has cleared a candidate from his backyard, Mr. Weluke. He said he is clean and can vie but Sonko should not, that is a mistake because, on Monday, we have a case to be decided by three judges. He should have left that to the courts instead of making premature conclusions," Sonko said. 

{Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko together with other leaders during Azimio la Umoja campaigns in Narok county on Saturday, June 6. Photo: Courtesy}

On his part, Wiper Boss Kalonzo Musyoka laughed off IEBC's decision to block Sonko before even presenting his papers to the commission.

He urged Chebukati to practice fairness, promising that the former county boss will be presenting his documents before the IEBC on Tuesday this week.

"Sonko has not even presented his papers to the IEBC, why should Chebukati jump the gun? Who knows whether Sonko was even going to take his papers? but we want to tell IEBC that Sonko is coming on Tuesday and we are praying for him to pass the 'exams'.

The leaders who were accompanied by Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina pitched camps in Narok on Saturday, carrying out Azimio campaigns from Ewaso Nyiro all the way to Suswa.

Sonko's response comes after Chebukati, while addressing the press on Saturday, announced that the commission will block all leaders who have been impeached from public office in the past from running again in the August polls.

Chebukati said only those who have been accused but still have active cases in court pending determination, will be cleared by his commission.