IEBC rules on Moses Kuria's vote-rigging case

Mar 30, 2023 - 07:43

By Elias Kiplimo The IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has resolved that the case against Gatundu South Member of Parliament Moses Kuria to proceed to the full hearing. The lawmaker was summoned by IEBC after he allegedly claimed that the 2017 general elections were rigged in favour of President Uhuru Kenyatta. IEBC ruled that the allegations by the lawmaker are a serious matter and will be investigated fully. IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati dismissed objections from the defence team, stating that the matter proceed to a full hearing. [caption id="attachment_15760" align="alignnone" width="934"]

File image of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria during the UDA Party NDC on March 15, 2022. |Courtesy| Twitter|[/caption] "Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee has jurisdiction and is legally ceased of the matters.

"Preliminary objections are hereby dismissed and the matter shall proceed to a full hearing," Chebukati ruled.

If found guilty, Kuria could either be warned, fined or in the extreme, disqualified from the August 9, 2022, general elections and future polls.However, the lawmaker is free to appeal any decision of the Electoral Code Conduct Enforcement Committee that is handling the alleged vote-rigging remarks. The Committee chaired by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati summoned the lawmaker for breaching the electoral code of conduct. Kuria’s legal team led by Ndegwa Wahome had objected to the charges challenging the Committee's jurisdiction on the matter. "It is prudent that this committee downs its tools until the court pronounces itself on the jurisdiction issue. "You cannot be a prosecutor, complainant and a judge," Ndegwa said.