By Augustine Oduor

Former Starehe MP Margaret Wanjiru yesterday her nomination papers to the Interim Independent Electoral Commission.

On Tuesday, ODM gave the former Housing Assistant Minister a direct nomination to defend her seat.

The Interim Independent Electoral Commission cleared Bishop Margaret Wanjiru to contest for the Starehe parliamentary seat, Wednesday. [PHOTO: MARTIN MUKANGU/STANDARD]

Wanjiru presented her documents at the Kenya Institute of Education, yesterday. After a vetting process that lasted about ten minutes, Peter Muigai, the Interim Independent Electoral Commission Returning Officer cleared Wanjiru to contest.

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She will now face off with Maina Kamanda of PNU and Jimna Mbaru of the DP.

Mr Muigai said the electoral body would conduct a free and fair by-election.

Speaking after being cleared, Wanjiru said she was sure of recapturing her seat.

Wanjiru lost her Starehe parliamentary seat after a court ruled that she was not validly elected during the 2007 General Election. Giving the verdict in July Justice Kihara Kariuki said the poll was marred by massive tampering of election material

The by-election is slated for September 20.