High Court Stops Mike Sonko Bid To Vie Mombasa

Former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko’s nomination papers to run for governor of Mombasa have been temporarily halted by the electoral commission. 

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) was also prevented from clearing Mr Sonko for the August 9 elections by Justice John Mativo of the Mombasa High Court. 

The orders were issued pending the hearing and decision on an application for conservatory orders filed by three civil society organizations seeking to disqualify Mr Sonko from running for office.

Haki Yetu, Kituo Cha Sheria and Transparency International argued that such orders were needed because the IEBC was likely to approve and clear Mr Sonko to contest in the race for which he has been nominated by the Wiper party.

“The election calendar is time bound and there is a likelihood that if the interim order is not granted and this case dealt with expeditiously, IEBC is likely to clear Mr Sonko and have his name on the ballot paper for election into the office of the Governor Mombasa on August 9,” the groups argue in their petition.

The groups argue in their petition that Mr Sonko was removed from office for violating the Constitution by failing to promote public confidence in the integrity of the governor’s office, among other things. 

Mr Sonko, the Wiper party, and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission have all been sued by the groups (IEBC). 

Two more petitions, one in Mombasa and the other in Eldoret, have been filed to disqualify Mr Sonko from running for governor of Mombasa.

“Having been found unsuitable to hold the office of the Governor of Nairobi City County, Mr Sonko is equally unsuitable to hold any other state office,” the petition states.

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