Sonko Claims IEBC Received Bribe To Lock Him Out of Mombasa Gubernatorial Race

Mike Sonko, the former governor of Nairobi, now claims that money changed hands, resulting in his current woes.

Sonko, who was disqualified from running for Governor of Mombasa, says he is unfazed by the verdict.

He said this after the IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee upheld Mombasa Returning Officer Sala Yusuf’s decision to disqualify him from the contest.

Yusuf said Sonko does not meet Chapter Six of the Constitution on leadership and integrity following his December 2020 impeachment by the Nairobi City County Assembly members.

Read: Wiper In Court Seeking To Have Sonko Vie For Mombasa Governor Seat

She said Sonko had no court orders to compel IEBC to clear him as reported by a section of the media.

“He may be cleared in 2017 but that doesn’t take away the requirement for the 2022 polls where IEBC is supposed to verify the degree certificate. Nothing has been placed to show that other aspirants weren’t asked to prove academic qualification hence there is no discrimination,” ruled the tribunal on the last day of hearing and determining complaints.

“He produced his documents on the last day giving him a disadvantage on rectifications. He could have produced his documents before the deadline to have to have time for any corrections,” added the tribunal.

“The committee notes that he was impeached by the Senate of the Republic of Kenya. The letter by Supreme Court was not produced to the commission during the time of clearance. Disqualification is premised on solid grounds.”

Read Also: IEBC Declines To Clear Sonko for Mombasa Governor Seat

The former Makadara MP on Monday evening said he has fought battles tougher than the one he is currently facing.

“Tumepigana vita kubwa kushinda hii (We have fought many other bigger fights). We shall stand with the truth… And we will pray to God and move on,” Sonko said.

The embattled politician maintained that he followed the law at all times.

Sonko used the example of going to the bank and not being served, even when it was closing time.

Read Also: Sonko Takes Action Against IEBC For Blocking Mombasa Governor Bid

“What happens in such a case is the bank does not chase you away but will attend to you,” he added.

The ex-governor claimed that he submitted his documents on time, with the main hurdle being the claim that his appeal took too long.

“So the argument in the Court of Appeal took time and we served the returning officer with the direction from the Supreme Court in the presence of the media,” he added.

Sonko’s running mate, Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo, stated that they will move to the High Court on Tuesday.

Read Also: I will Be on the Ballot – Sonko Insists After IEBC Disqualification

“Justice will be served tomorrow ( Tuesday) when we run to the High Court. We are not going back to Mombasa until we get justice,” he said.

Wiper party, which had nominated Sonko, has been given 72 hours to nominate another candidate to vie for the Mombasa Governor seat in place of Sonko.