Editor's Review

IEBC cleared only four candidates to vie for the presidency in the August polls.

The Thirdway Alliance Kenya Party is moving to court to seek the nullification of the presidential nominations by the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

In a statement on Monday, the party claimed that the electoral agency did not verify the candidates’ supporter lists and the accompanying supporter documents.

The party further stated that the whole exercise was marred by inconsistencies and discrimination, adding that it violated the Constitution of Kenya.

“We shall file a constitutional petition later today seeking to quash the presidential nominations process,” read part of the statement signed by party leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot.

The party maintained that IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati deliberately carried out a subjective selection process instead of a nomination process.

It further claimed that Chebukati issued nomination certificates to presidential aspirants without adhering to the provisions of Article 137 (1) (d) of the constitution.

IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati.

The Dr. Aukot-led party further claimed that the IEBC chairman applied different standards in clearing aspirants, as some aspirants were cleared without meeting the requisite educational standards before their certificates were later revoked.

“He (Chebukati) flip-flopped on the nominations of candidates. One minute a candidate is cleared and the next minute a candidate’s certificate is revoked.

“In the same spirit and Chebukati’s own realization that he made a mistake for example in clearing Walter Mong’are and hence revoking his certificate, we shall also now, after due diligence of the shambolic process, petition High Court to nullify the nomination process for reasons elaborated in the petition,” the statement further read.

The party's presidential candidate, Dr. Aukot, had been barred from running for the top seat, with IEBC clearing four candidates.

Deputy President William Ruto of UDA, Azimio’s Raila Odinga, Roots Party’s George Wajackoyah and Agano Party’s Waihiga Mwaure were cleared to vie for the presidency.