Sabina Chege's reacts after court quashes IEBC summons against her
By Peter Ochieng
Murang'a County Women Representative Sabina Chege is now relieved after a High court judge quashed summons by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against her.
Chege through her lawyers James Orengo (Siaya Senator) and Otiende Amollo (Rarieda MP) moved to court after she was summoned to appear before IEBC's disciplinary committee, over claims that they rigged elections to help Uhuru Kenyatta win in presidential elections.
She made the claim in Vihiga County early this year. “I have heard others saying we rigged, there is some truth in it. So if we managed to rig, even this one we can. They think they are the smartest,” she said in February.
[caption id="attachment_11154" align="alignnone" width="1200"]
Murang'a County Woman Representative Sabina Chege appears before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee flanked by lawyers Senator James Orengo (l) and MP Otiende Amollo (r) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to answer to charges over utterances made in a public rally in Isibuye in Vihiga County on February 10, 2022. |Courtesy| Twitter|[/caption]
Delivering the ruling on Monday, April 05, 2022, judge Anthony Mrima said the IEBC committee has no power to summon politicians before they have been formally nominated and determined that they will run as independent candidates.
"The code of conduct does not apply as candidates have not yet been determined and subscribed to it. IEBC committee does not have jurisdiction to issue summons," ruled the judge.
Reacting to the court's ruling, Chege urged IEBC to now concentrate on ensuring that the forthcoming elections are free and fair.
"You know how IEBC guys have been following me up and down. The court has decided that they leave me alone. They should now concentrate on planning for a free and fair election process," she said in Turkana County, in the company of ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria is also being pursued by IEBC, for making a similar vote-rigging claim.
Murang'a County Woman Representative Sabina Chege appears before the IEBC Electoral Code of Conduct Enforcement Committee flanked by lawyers Senator James Orengo (l) and MP Otiende Amollo (r) on Tuesday, February 15, 2022, to answer to charges over utterances made in a public rally in Isibuye in Vihiga County on February 10, 2022. |Courtesy| Twitter|[/caption]
Delivering the ruling on Monday, April 05, 2022, judge Anthony Mrima said the IEBC committee has no power to summon politicians before they have been formally nominated and determined that they will run as independent candidates.
"The code of conduct does not apply as candidates have not yet been determined and subscribed to it. IEBC committee does not have jurisdiction to issue summons," ruled the judge.
Reacting to the court's ruling, Chege urged IEBC to now concentrate on ensuring that the forthcoming elections are free and fair.
"You know how IEBC guys have been following me up and down. The court has decided that they leave me alone. They should now concentrate on planning for a free and fair election process," she said in Turkana County, in the company of ODM party leader Raila Odinga.
Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria is also being pursued by IEBC, for making a similar vote-rigging claim. What's Your Reaction?
