Why it’s difficult to block corrupt aspirants from vying – Wafula Chebukati

The chairperson of the IEBC, Wafula Chebukati, says legal loopholes are to blame for "corrupt" politicians' enrollment as elective seat candidates. [File, Standard]

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Wafula Chebukati says two articles in the Constitution stop the agency from barring “corrupt” or “crime-linked” aspirants from vying for elective seats.

In a media sustainability convention organised by the Kenya Media Sector Working Group on Saturday, July 3, Chebukati said Articles 99 (3) and 193 (3) of the Constitution bar the electoral board from striking out aspirants’ names from the ballot until corruption or criminal cases they’re facing are resolved at the highest possible court.