Hanging In The Balance: William Ruto's Eligibility Vie for Presidency to Be Determined by Court

Main Categories



img

Hanging In The Balance: William Ruto's Eligibility Vie for Presidency to Be Determined by Court

Activist Okiya Omtatah has interrogated Deputy President William Ruto's eligibility in the August 9 general election given that he is still in office despite his presidential bid. 

Omtatah moved to the High Court in Nairobi seeking clarification on sections of the Elections Act which require civil servants to resign six months before participating in elective politics. 

The activist saw it unfair for the law to apply only to public servants while having those elected continue serving even with their declaration to vie for elective posts. 

Besides Ruto, Omtatah's petition in court targets National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi and Murang'a governor Mwangi Wa Iria both of whom have declared their interests in vying for positions in the August 9 general election.

Omtatah wants the aforementioned directed to resign from their current positions ahead of the nominations in their respective political outfits and the clearance by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC). 

The case is presided over by Justice Anthony Mrima who argued that the elected leaders should be enjoined as interested parties, further directing Omtatah to notify them of the case.

"I have considered the nature of the petition and the parties who are referred to and who are likely to be affected. This court notes that most of them are not parties to the petition. The court must, therefore, take care of such,” said Justice Mrima as quoted by Nation. 

Omtatah also seeks the intervention of the court in declaring that a sitting president, deputy president, governor and deputy governor cannot be elected to elective positions other than the one they hold.

This came barely a month after three voters filed a petition at Kisumu High Court seeking to have Ruto barred from contesting in the oncoming election. 

Source: Tuko News





  • Reviews (0)
Click Category for articles...

Leave a review/opinion

To leave a review/opinion, please login to your account. Login