CAPTION: Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria at the Bomas of Kenya where he was blocked by security forces when he went to seek clearance to vie for the presidency
Outgoing Murang’a Governor and 2022 presidential aspirant Mwangi Wa Iria sparked a commotion at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) national tallying centre at Bomas of Kenya on Monday 30 May after he vigorously protested the removal of his name from the national register.
The Usawa Kwa Wote party leader argued that he had submitted all the initial requirements and yet he was removed from the schedule and blocked from accessing the venue for clearance ahead of the August 9th election.
He claimed that a person called Sunkuli, whom he claimed was an IEBC official, told him that his name was removed from the list because he only submitted signatures from nine counties yet he submitted from 24 counties.
When addressing members of the press, Wa Iria accused IEBC of harbouring a signature selling syndicate targeting gullible and desperate politicians.
He purported that some junior officers in Chebukati’s office have been hawking every signature at Sh50.
This means that in order to be cleared, aspirants have to fork out a non-negotiable Sh2.3m or risk the omission of their names.
“Unajua hii mambo ya kuuza signatures ki-rejareja we understand.
Every signature, some juniors officers are selling at fifty shillings, so you need 2.3, unapewa,” he lamented.
@zowan254Outgoing Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria Unearths Signature Selling Syndicate At IEBC♬ original sound – Zowan254
The Governor also alleged a conspiracy by the electoral agency to ensure that only three candidates make it to the presidential ballot by disqualifying the rest on technicalities.
“My thinking is that when we bring signatures or documents here some people are selling them because there is no way you can accept my documents then later you start other stories. I have been a Governor for 10 years so I am not stupid, I know what am saying.
“I must be on the ballot,” he said, “IEBC must stop the games they are playing,” a furious Wa Iria protested.
IEBC on Saturday released a list of 18 candidates who beat the deadline for submitting signatures and copies of identity cards for clearance by the electoral commission.
The shortlisted candidates will still undergo vetting by IEBC before being cleared to officially vie.
IEBC has set May 29 to June 6 as days when presidential candidates will present their nomination papers, be vetted and finally be cleared or blocked from vying.
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