Jirongo axed from presidential race

Jirongo axed from presidential race

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has struck off former Lugari Member of Parliament (MP) Cyrus Jirongo from the repeat presidential race penciled in for October 26.

Jirongo was declared bankrupt by High Court Judge Olga Sewe on October 10.

Sewe ruled that the politician was unable to pay debt amounting to Ksh700 million, which he owed some eight companies.

In a Gazette Notice published by the IEBC Chairman, Wafula Chebukati, on Friday, October 13, new entrants into the presidential race list, which had, earlier, only included Jubilee Party’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and the National Super Alliance’s Raila Odinga, include: Thirdway Alliance’s Ekuru Aukot, Alliance for Real Change’s Abduba Dida, Independent candidates Michael Wainaina, Joseph Nyaga and Japheth Kaluyu.

This comes after Ekuru Aukot’s application to have his name included on the ballot was granted by High Court Judge John Mativo on October 11, directing the IEBC to amend a Gazette Notice it had issued on presidential candidates to contest in the repeat election to include Aukot’s name. Despite Aukot, on Friday, October 13, opposing the inclusion of the other presidential candidates – besides Odinga and Kenyatta – on the ballot, the IEBC has now stamped its authority.

Article 137 of the Kenyan Constitution on qualifications and disqualifications for election as President says a person declared bankrupt by a court of law is not eligible to run for president.

The bankruptcy application against Jirongo, who was on the ballot on August 8 presidential race, had been filed by the companies, which include Masole Ltd, Baia Enterprises Ltd, Gilera Ltd, Koti Developers, Saman Developers Ltd, Kenete Enterprises Ltd, Marimio Enterprises Ltd, and Linsala Enterprises Ltd.

Jirongo had secured Ksh700 million loan from the National Bank of Kenya using properties registered under the name of the said companies.

He, however, failed to settle the loan and the bank sold the properties on May 22, 2009 through public auction.

However, the politician entered into an agreement with businessman Sammy Boit Arap Kogo, the owner of the companies, and agreed to pay Sh700 million, which was the market value of the said properties.

The ex-presidential candidate, however, failed to offset the sum demanded, prompting the companies to file an application seeking a bankruptcy order against him.

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Jirongo axed from presidential race

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