Dennis Wahome has again moved to court seeking to compel Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from printing Nairobi senator Johnson Sakaja’s name on the ballot for August 9 contest, until the case is heard and determined.
Wahome argued that Sakaja procured Bachelor of Science in Management (External) degree certificate from Team University, Uganda, falsely and sought a court order to bar him from participating in the forthcoming election.
Through his lawyer, Wahome cited that should IEBC proceed to print Sakaja’s name on the ballot, pending the determination of the probe instigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the commission risks facing charges related to the infringement of the constitution in respect to qualifications of running for county governor’s position.
“The impugned decision is fundamentally flawed in light of the fact that the 4th respondent (Sakaja) does not posses a degree as required by section 22 (2) of the Elections Act hence is a legally and unconstitutionally unqualified person,” petitioner Wahome states in his application.
In June 19th, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dispute Tribunal Committee chaired by Willis Otieno, thrown out a petition by Wahome seeking to revoke the senator’s clearance certificate.
Willis Otieno stated that the Tribunal Disputes Resolution Committee lacks the jurisdiction mandate to authenticate Sakaja’s degree certificate. He noted that case in determining the validity of external degree certificate is tasked to the Commission for University Education (CUE).
Sakaja also received a sigh of relief on 22nd June, after the Commission for University Education chairperson Professor Chacha Nyaigoti Chacha withdrew the revocation hindrance for recognition of his degree certificate.
Senator Sakaja
Sakaja’s degree saga erupted after it was alleged that he obtained the degree from Team University through forgery means. He has been on record claiming that he graduated from University of Nairobi in Actuarial Science.
If cleared, he will face off Azimio – One Kenya candidate Polycap Igathe and Independent candidate Agnes Kagure in city hall race.
