Three candidates who were ejected from the race to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta in the August 9 General Elections have sworn not to take the matter lightly.
Led by Safina Party presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi, the two others: Ekuru Aukot of Thirdway Alliance and gospel singer Rueben Kigame said they will not be silenced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The trio were speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, June 7 in Nairobi where they swore to challenge IEBC’s decision in court.
“This template of dictatorship was defeated before and we shall defeat it now,” Wanjigi who was thrown out of the race because he lacked a valid degree certificate said,
Wanjigi further stated that they were speaking for a majority of Kenyans who have not yet made up their minds adding that the voices of such Kenyans must be heard.
“We want to assure those Kenyans that your voice will be heard, and we shall be on the ballot,” he said.
On his part, Kigame of the Agano Party accused IEBC of discrimination saying the decision to bar him from the presidential race was discriminative to candidates with an alternative voice.
“Chebukati and team have discriminated against me. The worst aspect of the discrimination is that he has gazetted 4 candidates and issued a list of the candidates who did not qualify. Kenyans, are you aware that I do not appear on both lists?” Kigame posed to journalists.
Thirdway Alliance flag-bearer Ekuru Aukot, who is seeking the presidency for the third time said the electoral body was out to frustrate his presidential ambitions this year after it cleared to vie for the seat twice.
“In 2017 IEBC issued me with a certificate to run for president. Last Sunday, IEBC denied me that certificate on the excuse that my degree certificate is not certified, isn’t that laughable?” Aukot asked.
Aukot was turned away by IEBC over what the Chebukati led body said was a failure to submit the required number of signatures, something Aukot termed as unrealistic.
From a list of 55 aspirants seeking the country’s top seat, only four were given the green light to contest for the seat by IEBC.
The four are Azimio la Umoja One Kenya flag-bearer Raila Odinga, Kenya Kwanza’s William Ruto, Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah and Agano Party’s David Mwaure.