Several governors, Members of the National Assembly and MCAs risk being locked out of the August General Election after MPs passed new election regulations that would bar any contestant facing corruption or other criminal charges.
The regulations would lock out dozens of members of county assemblies apparently battling corruption related cases in various courts across the country.
Under the new rules tabled by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), all political aspirants must be cleared by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) before vying for any seat.
This is a deviation from the previous situation where aspirants were only required to provide IEBC with self declaration forms signed by EACC.
The new regulations mean that politicians with integrity questions will be locked out of the race.
Some of the issues to be considered by EACC before clearing any politician would include tax evasion, assault, fraud, falsification of academic papers, misuse of firearms, incitement to violence , among others.
Some of the high profile politicians with active pending cases that could find themselves in hot soup if the new regulations are implemented include Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo, Ganze MP Peter Shehe, Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter, nominated MP Sonia Birdi, Kitutu Chache MP Richard Onyonka, Lamu West MP Julius Ndegwa Kariuki.
Others are Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel, Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, Kasarani MP John Chege, Imenti Central MP Gideon Mwiti and Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.
