Civil society groups including activist Wanjiru Gikonyo, Kenya Human Rights Commission, Inuka Kenya ni Sisi and Transparency International accused the IEBC of lowering the integrity bar by making it easy for politicians with questionable character to contest.
According to the civil society groups politicians facing corruption charges and any individual found by EACC to have breached the integrity test should not be allowed to contest in the August 2022 elections.
Former Nairobi governors Evans Kidero and Mike Sonko, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, Garissa Governor Ali Korane and others are among the contestants despite them being charged with corruption.
Chrispine Owiye IEBC’s Director for Legal and Public Affairs said they have no reason to contradict judgement which found that any accused person is presumed innocent and can only be locked from contesting if guilty.
There are standards set and required for anyone seeking public office and the petitioners see no reason why the commission is hesitant to enforce it.
The petitioners want court to give powers to EACC and the Director of Criminal Investigations to evaluate any candidate with criminal record and recommend to IEBC not to clear them.