IEBC admits issuing Mathare certificate to loser

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has admitted it irregularly issued a winner certificate for Mathare constituency to Steven Kariuki.

The IEBC through lawyer Paul Nyamodi told a three judge bench of Justices Isaac Lenaola, Weldon Korir and David Majanja that it was the mistake of the returning officer but the commission has taken measures to correct the anomaly.

“The returning officer might have issued the certificate to the wrong winner due to the close difference of the votes cast. However, the commission has realised the mistake and is going to cancel the certificate and issue a new one to the winner,” said Nyamodi.

Mr Kariuki contested the Mathare parliamentary seat on a Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.

TNA’s parliamentary candidate George Wanjohi moved to court to stop the commission from gazetting Mr Kariuki as the MP elect for Mathare constituency claiming that he was the winner and should have been issued with the certificate.

Mr Wanjohi submitted that the IEBC announced him winner of the Mathare National Assembly seat but was surprised when they issued the certificate to Mr Kariuki of ODM.

He wants the court to prevent the commission from confirming Mr Kariuki as winner of the seat and to nullify the certificate that was allegedly issued to the ODM candidate.

The judges will give a ruling at 3.30 pm.