- Awiti, who is vying on a Vibrant Democratic Party ticket said he has already contacted his lawyers
- On Thursday, ODM governor candidate Abdulswamad Nassir also moved to court to try and overturn that decision
Image: LABAN WALLOGA
The IEBC continues to come under fire from Mombasa politicians over its decision to suspend the gubernatorial election indefinitely.
The elections were pushed forward to August 23 after the commission realised errors on the ballot papers printed.
On Wednesday, IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati released a statement saying the elections had been postponed indefinitely, a decision that has not gone well with governor candidates in the two counties.
On Thursday, ODM governor candidate Abdulswamad Nassir moved to court to try and overturn that decision.
The case was filed by three Mombasa residents; Thani Mohammed Mwamlavya, Moses Aran Oindo and Kelvin Nzuki Muthini on behalf of the ODM team.
The matter is expected to come on Monday for the hearing.
Former Nyali MP Hezron Awiti, who is also seeking the governor seat for a second time, has also threatened to move to court to sue IEBC.
Awiti, who is vying on a Vibrant Democratic Party ticket said he has already contacted his lawyers
"I have contacted my lawyers, Chebukati must know there is a cost in running for the seat and he cannot wake up one morning and decide to postpone the elections," Awiti said.
"I will not take it lightly, we will go to court.”
Awiti was addressing the media at a Mombasa hotel on Thursday afternoon.
He said that the IEBC’S decision caught him by surprise and he sensed malice on the part of commission, alleging that some election officials could be working in cohort with his opponents.
"I am really shocked with what is happening, I thought that the commission was independent?" he asked.
He said Chebukati was taking the country in the wrong direction.
"We cannot allow one individual to disrupt the elections and be allowed to get away with it. Chebukati has to be serious,” he said.
He said that the delay will affect service delivery in the county and also stall the transition committee from carrying out its mandate.
He reiterated that he is ready for the elections as he appealed to his supporters and Mombasa residents to remain calm.
"I understand that democracy is a process, but we cannot allow an individual to play with it, he must face the law. Kenya is bigger than all of us," he said.
Awiti's campaign manager David Chirchir said that the Mombasa people had been patient enough when the elections were first postponed.
He said that IEBC was putting them in the dark as they don't understand what is going on without any official communication coming to them.
"Campaigning has been very expensive, we have used resources, yet no official communication is given us. We need to elect new leaders so that things can move in Mombasa," Chirchir said.
Millicent Odhiambo, who was a Wiper candidate for the Nyali parliamentary seat accused Chebukati of running IEBC as his personal enterprise.
She said Chebukati had let the country down and should be removed from office immediately.
"Chebukati is singlehandedly dictating at IEBC, the commission is operating like a kangaroo court. He does not care about the psychological torture he is taking us through," she said.
She asked Chebukati to come open and tell Kenyans what was really going on.
"He announced the presidential results under pressure and intimidation, why is it difficult now for him to give us a date for the gubernatorial elections," she said.
(Edited by Tabnacha O)