Court Petition Seeks to Bar Wa Iria from Contesting

Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria is facing a fresh legal challenge after a voter moved to court seeking to bar him from contesting any elective seat over unresolved corruption allegations.

In a petition filed under a certificate of urgency, Jackson Kiroko Ndegwa argues that allowing the governor to defend his seat poses a real and present danger to constitutional values, citing serious integrity questions that remain unresolved.

Chapter Six Integrity Threshold Questioned

Ndegwa contends that Wa Iria does not meet the constitutional standards of leadership and integrity as outlined under Chapter Six of the Constitution, owing to allegations of corruption and abuse of office that have not been conclusively addressed.

According to the petitioner, the unresolved claims touching on the governor’s integrity disqualify him from holding or seeking public office until the matters are fully investigated and determined.

Orders Sought Against DPP and IEBC Clearance

The voter is now asking the court to direct the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to investigate the allegations and, where appropriate, institute criminal proceedings against the Murang’a governor for corruption and abuse of office.

He is also seeking orders to restrain Wa Iria from contesting in any election and a declaration that it would be unconstitutional for any State organ, including electoral bodies, to clear or approve his candidature while the integrity questions remain unresolved.

Constitutional Accountability at the Center

In his pleadings, Ndegwa maintains that the Constitution demands higher standards of accountability from public officials and that courts must intervene where enforcement agencies have allegedly failed to act.

The petition places renewed focus on the enforcement of Chapter Six and the role of courts in determining whether unresolved corruption allegations can bar a candidate from elective office.

The court is yet to issue directions on the hearing of the petition.