Kalonzo Says He Won’t Rest Until Mike Sonko’s Name Is On The Ballot Paper

The leader of the Wiper Party, Kalonzo Musyoka, has insisted that he won’t stop until the beleaguered former governor of Nairobi, Mike Sonko, is on the ballot for the governor of Mombasa.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) cancelled Sonko’s registration certificate on Monday, essentially disqualifying him from standing for governor of Mombasa in August.

He is contesting for the county’s top position alongside former Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo.

Speaking on Sunday in Likoni, Mombasa County, Musyoka pleaded with the election board to let the former governor to run until the Supreme Court and the East African Court of Justice decide on his case.

“As the Wiper leader, I will not sleep until Sonko and Mbogo become governor and deputy governor of Mombasa. Chebukati and his team have no means, it’s not their business to block Sonko,” said Musyoka.

While drumming up support for Sonko, Kalonzo blamed Mombasa’s challenges on incompetent leaders and told supporters that the impeached former governor had the solutions to transform the county.

“Sonko clearly understands Mombasa’s problem; poverty. And the main culprits behind this poverty know themselves and therefore we need change,” he said.
Mbogo said they were expecting the court decision on Tuesday, which might compel the IEBC to include them on the vote.

If someone is found guilty of abuse of power or has broken Chapter Six of Kenyan law, they may not run for office, according to the IEBC.

“In adherence to the supreme court judgement, you are therefore disqualified from holding any public office and thus disqualified from contesting and being elected as the Governor Mombasa County or any other county. Your candidature is invalidated and your certificate revoked,” Mombasa County Returning Officer Swalhah Ibrahim stated in last week’s letter to Sonko.
In the meantime, Sonko has petitioned the Supreme Court for a review of the verdict because he is unhappy with the ruling that practically prevents him from holding any political position.
He argued on Monday that the court did not allow him enough time to properly respond and that the verdict was given too soon.

Sonko asserted that the Supreme Court ruling appeared predetermined in a separate petition that she submitted to the East African Court of Justice.

Sonko claims that his oral appeal for Chief Justice Koome to step down from the case was turned down.

He asserts that in May, when she appeared for an interview with a local media outlet, the CJ declared herself to be on the case.