Man wants George Wajackoyah stopped from running for president

A poster of Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah. [Samson Wire, Standard]

A man has written to the British High Commission in Kenya to establish the status of the citizenship of Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah.

Peter Gichira, in a letter dated July 4, asked the commission to verify the state of Prof Wajackoyah’s UK citizenship.

“We do write on behalf of our client to get clear clarification and confirmation on whether the above-named candidate is still a registered British citizen, and if so, has he ever renounced such citizenship rights making him eligible for the top seat in the Republic of Kenya,” wrote Gichira, through his lawyer Gachie Mwanza.

Kenyan law bars presidential and governor aspirants from being holders of dual citizenship.

According to the petitioner, if Wajackoyah is yet to renounce his citizenship rights, he is not eligible to vie for the highest seat in the land.

“Your urgent and considerate assistance shall be highly appreciated, noting the strict timelines with which the upcoming elections are to be held and the ballot papers ought to be printed in advance,” the lawyer said.

Roots Party presidential candidate George Wajackoyah. [Samson Wire, Standard]

The letter was also copied to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Department of Immigration and Citizen Services.

A week ago, Prof Wajackoyah said he was once disqualified from vying for a Member of Parliament seat in Tottenham, United Kingdom.

Prof Wajackoyah said he was eliminated because he was not legally married. He did not elaborate.

For one to qualify to vie in the UK, one must be a British citizen, a citizen of Ireland and a citizen of a commonwealth country.

Gichira was among the 47 aspirants in the presidential race before IEBC narrowed down the list to only four.

He dropped out of the race in May after an alleged abduction in Nairobi’s Eastlands.