Petition Filed to Bar Jimi Wanjigi from Vying for the Presidency on ODM Ticket

A petition has been filed to disqualify Jimi Wanjigi from vying for the presidency on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party.

Businesswoman and politician Catherine Wanjiku Irungu filed the petition before the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal at the Milimani Law Courts accusing the party of not conducting an integrity test on the presidential aspirant.

Irungu fingered the Raila Odinga-led party for allowing a stranger launch presidential campaigns hence tainting the party’s reputation.

“That the Respondent has jointly and severally joined efforts with strangers to the Party, including the Interested Party herein. with an aim of embarrassing the functioning and integrity of the party as a political party of nationwide repute,” she said through lawyer Edwin Saluny.

“That the Respondent has permitted the Interested Party, who is not a member properly so-called under the Party’s laws, to capture the Party and even begin campaigns for the Party’s presidential ticket for the forthcoming General Elections.”

She further argues that by allowing Wanjigi alias “the fixer” conduct nation-wide campaigns, the party has confused its members.

Ms Irungu wants Wanjigi barred from further abusing the party structures.

“That it is also imperative that the Respondent be stopped from further plunging the membership into confusion by misapplying the Constitution thereof, and permitting strangers to abuse the structures of the Party, and especially the sacrosanct pillar of ethics and integrity,” the petition continued.

Wanjigi launched his presidential bid in June.