Kajwang, Midiwo among aspirants cleared by IEBC

By Pamela Chepkemei

Nairobi, Kenya: ODM senior politicians Otieno Kajwang and Jakoyo Midiwo got a life line when the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission dismissed complaints against them paving the way for them to contest their respective positions.

The dispute resolution committee of IEBC dismissed complaints raised against Midiwo and Kajwang arising from the recent ODM nominations.

Kajwang is vying for Homa bay senatorial seat while Midiwo is vying for the Gem Parliamentary seat.

The committee said it had no mandate to deal with integrity issues raised against Kajwang. A complaint had been raised over his suitability to run for an elective post over allegations of him having been struck off the Roll of advocates. He maintained during the hearing of the complaint that his name was still on the Roll of Advocates.

On Midiwo’s case, the committee dismissed the complaint and upheld the decision by the party to give him direct nomination. The Committee said the ODM constitution has a provision for direct nomination.

Another ODM party politician, Shakeel Shabir was cleared to vie after complaint against him was dismissed. The individuals who had filed the suit against Shabir failed to attend the sessions which saw the commission throw out the suit for non-attendance.

Augostino Neto of Ndhiwa Constituency will also vie after a complaint against him was dismissed for lack of evidence.

The committee also dismissed complaints against former Minister Amos Kimunya who is vying for the Kipipiri Constituency seat. The position of the National Alliance party in which he will vie for the seat was upheld.

Mombasa gubernatorial Shabhal Suleiman also emerged successful. The committee allowed him to seek the Mombasa governor’s seat on a Wiper Democratic Movement Party. IEBC said Mr Shahbal had proved that he left UDF on December 16 and is now a valid member of Wiper Democratic Party.

He proved that he was no longer a member of the party and the mix up was attributed to party hoping which made it impossible for the Registrar of Political Parties to update list of party members.

Another complaint against former Marakwet east MP Lina Kilimo was dismissed. The committee said the Complaint against Kilimo by Boaz Bowen had no evidence.

The Committee directed that  Nyamira parliamentary aspirant on ODM ticket Abuya Abuya be given a certificate to run for the seat on condition that he pays a balance of the nomination fee of Sh150,000.

TNA was also ordered to issue a certificate to Ms Mary Mwangi seeking the Embakasi parliamentary seat.

The Committee received a total of 207 disputes.