The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), has vowed to bar any politician indicted by constitutional commissions and independent offices from running for any elective post.
However, if the indicted aspirants submit a proof of an appeal or review, the commission may consider clearing their applications.
Among those in the spotlight include former Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, who continue to chase their political aspirations despite being disapproved by the legislators.
The announcement was made by the commission’s secretary and chief executive officer Ezra Chiloba, in the presence of officials from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Auditor-General, and the Directorate of Public Prosecutions.
“We are firm that we shall play our role as required of us by law, but we shall consider and implement our decisions in the spirit of the Constitution,” said Mr. Chiloba.
The commission had on Thursday issued a warrant for arrest for Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya for failing to honor Senate committee’s summonses. Oparanya is being summoned to answer questions regarding revenue and expenditure accounts for the 2014/2015 financial year, suspected to have been misappropriated.
On Wednesday, the National Assembly adopted the report of the Public Accounts Committee on the National Youth Service scandal involving Jubilee nominee for the Kirinyaga governor post-Ms. Ann Waiguru. According to the report, Ms. Waiguru is described as unfit for any public service position as reported by Daily Nation.
The commission will start clearing candidates on Sunday, and its officials have said they will consider the committee’s recommendations to review the candidates’ record.
However, the commission added that the Parliament and the Senate must submit the names of those they believe should be barred, and provide enough evidence to allow fair judgment.
“As long as the commission is presented with evidence, we shall make the decision to disqualify all such candidates because our duty is to respect the law,” said Mr Chiloba. “Disqualification means appeal or review of such indictments.”