The Safina party presidential hopeful and celebrated business magnate Jimi Wanjigi has been dealt a thunderous blow after the high court dismissed his petition seeking to compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to clear him for August 9, presidential race.
According to High Court Judge, Jairus Ngaah, Wanjigi’s petition lacked merit following the controversial academic credentials, noting that transcripts doesn’t authenticate acquisition of a university degree.
Wanjigi had argued that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ought to have cleared him for the contest, citing that the Commission for University Education had validated and authenticated his transcripts, showing that he is set to graduate the year in December.
The electoral commission’s lawyer, Kipkogei, defended the commission by arguing that Wanjigi doesn’t hold a degree physically. He narrated that constitutionally, a presidential aspirant Must be a degree holder from a recognized University and not a transcript holder.
“The key word we want to underline is if the person is a holder of a degree. It is our interpretation that a person must have a degree certificate. There must be in existence a physical degree certificate. The applicant is not in possession of a degree certificate and never presented it,” argued Kipkogei.
The court heard that the transcripts submitted by the businessman did not indicate whether they were final, and were not certified.
Safina Party presidential candidate Jimi Wanjigi
Wanjigi has however vowed to move to supreme court to challenge the high court’s decision of barring him from vying for the country’s top seat.
The Safina presidential aspirant has accused the deep state and system for allegedly plotting his fate for fear of defeating Azimio candidate Raila Odinga in forthcoming election.
IEBC cleared only four candidates; The Roots Party presidential candidate George Luchiri Wajackoyah, ODM party leader and Azimio – One Kenya presidential aspirant Raila Odinga, United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party boss and Kenya Kwanza flag bearer William Ruto and Agano Party’s David Waihiga Mwaura.
