TNA claims Kethi is not a registered voter, cannot vie

The National Alliance (TNA) is seeking to bar Kethi Kilonzo from contesting the Makueni Senate seat during the by-election slated for July 22.

TNA has written to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) saying that Ms Kilonzo is not a registered voter and is therefore not qualified to run.

“It has come to the attention of TNA that Ms Diana Kethi Kilonzo, the Wiper Democratic Party candidate for the Makueni County Senatorial by-election, is not a registered voter," the letter addressed to IEBC chairman Isaac Hassan reads in part.

"Our perusal of the voters register has confirmed that Ms Kilonzo does not appear on the roll, nor is there any voter registration for Kenya National Identity Card Number 21216762, which is Ms Kilonzo’s Kenya National Identity Card Number.

In a sharp rejoinder, Ms Kilonzo has dismissed the claims as rumours.

When contacted, Ms Kilonzo said she would brief the press later as she was in a meeting but insisted she had confirmed her registration to IEBC regional coordinator Ruth Kulundu.

The party now wants IEBC to bar Ms Kilonzo on the grounds that she has not fulfilled the legal requirements to vie for the Makueni Senatorial seat.

“Further we wish to remind the IEBC that it does not have the legal authority to register any new voters with respect to this by-election,” TNA's letter authored by the party's lawyer Jasper Mbiuki says.

The party urged the IEBC to strictly apply the law and not bend to pressure.

"We are all too aware that the IEBC will no doubt come under intense pressure to sweep this issue under the rug from powerful undemocratic forces who have no respect for either the Constitution or the Rule of Law. However, the IEBC must remain steadfast and apply the law without fear or favour."

The Cord coalition on Monday unveiled Ms Kethi Kilonzo as its candidate for the July 22 mini-poll .

She will face off with former Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki who will vie on the Jubilee Alliance ticket.