Editor's Review

The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) locked Kigame out of the August presidential race.

Musician Reuben Kigame on Tuesday, June 7, moved to court after the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) rejected his presidential bid.

Kigame, who was vying as an independent candidate, said that IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati and the electoral agency had discriminated against his candidature.

According to the musician, there was no substantial reason why he was not cleared by IEBC to run for the presidency in August.

“The matter of Wafula Chebukati and IEBC discriminating against my candidature in the coming election is finally filed at the high court,” Kigame stated.

{IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.}

At a press briefing on Tuesday morning, Kigame claimed that he had been invited to a meeting with Chebukati and the former said that ‘his hands had been tied’ on the matter of clearing Kigame to vie.

“We asked for a meeting in order to resolve this. And I have witnesses in that room where he says that he understands my case but his hands have been tied. I would like to know who’s tying Chebukati’s hands,” Kigame stated.

He further noted that the IEBC chairman said that there’s no direction that allows him as a returning officer to treat him preferentially as someone living with a disability.

IEBC locked Kigame out of the presidential race alongside Safina Party presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi, Thirdway Alliance's Dr. Ekuru Aukot, Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria, Umoja Summit Party presidential aspirant Walter Mong’are among others.

The commission cleared Azimio's Raila Odinga, UDA's William Ruto, Roots Party's Prof. George Wajackoyah and David Mwaure Waihiga of the Agano Party to vie for the presidency.