The Supreme Court in Nairobi has made its final verdict on billionaire Jimi Wanjig’s election petition.
While dismissing Wanjigi’s appeal, the apex court noted that the businessman-cum-politician was rightfully denied a chance to contest against the four main contenders, Raila Odinga, William Ruto, George Wajackoya and Wahiga Mwaure.
The Supreme Court of Kenya upheld the decision of the High Court and the Court of Appeal that agreed with former Independent and Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) chairman Wafula Chebukati in barring Wanjigi from contesting.
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Wanjigi will, therefore, not be accorded any compensation despite his argument that his rights were infringed upon when Chebukati dismissed his papers.
Wanjigi’s nomination papers were rejected on various grounds, including not possessing a degree certificate from a reputable university.
Former IEBC Chairman Wafula told Wajingi his documentations were incomplete and could not be processed as a Presidential Candidate.
In response, Wanjigi who presented a letter from Daystar University claimed that he was a student pursuing a degree and had completed his coursework.
Wanjigi also presented copies of copies of transcripts, and a letter from the Commission for University Education confirming the accreditation of Daystar University in Kenya.
However, Chebukati dismissed him noting that he did not comply with section 22(2) of the Elections Act that requires all Presidential Candidates to be Degree holders.
Chebukati ordered Wanjigi to submit physical copies of his degree, failure to which he would not be registered as a Presidential contender.
In a series of applications that were filed in the High Court and Court of Appeal, Wanjigi was told that he did not have a university degree.
The courts also affirmed Chebukati’s ruling that Wanjigi did not have at least 2,000 supporters from each county as was required by IEBC regulations.
At Supreme Court, Wanjigi claimed that Chebukati violated his rights that were guaranteed by Article 38(3) of The Constitution Of Kenya.
He insisted that he duly qualified to run for Presidency under qualifications set out by Article 137(1) of The Constitution of Kenya.
However, the Supreme Court poured chilly water on Wanjigi’s petition, noting that it did not have the authority to determine the appeal by the Safina Political Party presidential candidate in the August 2022 General Election.
Supreme Court ruled that the appeal under Article 163(4)(a) of The Constitution of Kenya limited its authority to issues involving the interpretation or application of the Constitution.