Former Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko has been directed by a Nairobi High Court to seek Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) reprieve at the Mombasa High Court.
This comes after Sonko had filed a case seeking to overturn a decision by IEBC to bar him from contesting for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat in the fast-approaching August polls.
Justice Ngaah Jairus directed that the matter be heard at a High Court sitting in Mombasa which is of similar jurisdiction.
“To the extent that the applicant seeks to vie in the County of Mombasa, this application would be best handled by the High Court sitting in Mombasa. I, therefore, direct that the application be transferred to that court forthwith and be mentioned before the Presiding Judge for such orders or directions as the learned judge may deem fit to grant or give. It is so ordered,” Ngaah ordered.
In his suit against the IEBC, Sonko said that the IEBC’s decision to block him from seeking the Mombasa gubernatorial seat is non-procedural, unlawful and inconsistent.
He further argues that the Wafula Chebukati-led electoral body’s decision to bar him from contesting in the General Election was actuated by bias, ill motive, malice, and bad faith.
According to the statutory statement, Sonko had been cleared by the Registrar of Political Parties to contest in the August General Elections for the position of Governor of Mombasa City County. However, he was denied that opportunity on the ground that he is an impeached governor
Sonko’s gubernatorial bid remains in limbo now with the August polls first approaching.
At least seven petitions have been filed against Sonko’s candidature.