High Court bars IEBC from deleting Kithinji Kiragu's name from ballots
Embu gubernatorial aspirant Kithinji Kiragu (right) joins in a dance during the launch of his campaigns at Kairuri stadium on June 4, 2017. The High Court on August 3, 2017 stopped the electoral commission from deleting his name from ballot papers. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
The High Court in Nairobi has stopped the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission from deleting the name of Embu gubernatorial candidate Kithinji Kiragu from the ballot for the August 8 General Elections.
Justice Msagha Mbogholi also ordered IEBC not to reprint the ballot papers with his name on them as it had announced on August 2.
In a ruling made in the court’s Judicial Review division, Mr Mbogholi directed the applicant to serve IEBC and Party of National Unity, named as respondent and interested party respectively, and file a substantive motion within 21 days.
The ruling gave a lifeline to Mr Kiragu, a public sector management consultant who emerged second in the 2013 General Elections, behind Governor Martin Wambora.
In his application, Mr Kiragu contends that the Court of Appeal erred when it ruled that his nomination by PNU was unprocedural.
Earlier on, hundreds of supporters made peaceful protests in Embu town, before storming the local IEBC offices to air their grievances.
Mr Kiragu is facing off with Mr Wambora (Jubilee), Senator Lenny Kivuti (Maendeleo Chap Chap), Mr Leonard Muriuki (Narc Kenya) Dr Njagi Kumantha (DP) and Dr Cyrus Njiru (Independent).
