UDA’s Karungo Thang’wa Disqualified from Kiambu Senate Race

Kiambu Senate aspirant Karungo Thang’wa has been disqualified from vying for the seat in the August 9th elections.

On Sunday, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dispute Resolution Committee dismissed his complaint and upheld the decision to lock him out of the Kiambu senatorial race.

The tribunal ruled that Thang’wa was previously impeached from office, hence unsuitable to contest or hold any public office.

"Our analysis of the fact and law as presented leads us to the conclusion that the respondent acted within the law to decline the complainant on the account of him having been removed from public office and presenting himself for nomination outside the gazetted terms,” the committee ruled.

"In light of the foregoing, the committee upholds the decision of the returning officer in declining to nominate the complainant and the complaint is hereby dismissed with no order to cost.”

Thang’wa, who was eyeing the Kiambu senate seat on a UDA party ticket, said the IEBC tribunal was dishonest in its ruling promising to challenge the decision in the High Court.

"The IEBC Dispute Resolution Committee has given a very dishonest ruling. Tukutane High Court. We are not letting go. We are here to stay," he said in a tweet.

Thang’wa was impeached by the Kiambu County Assembly in October 2019 while serving as the County Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of Youth Affairs and Sports.

In disqualifying Thang’wa, IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati cited Article 75(3) which states, “A person who is removed from office on contravention of Chapter 6 of the Constitution is disqualified from holding any other State or public office whether elective or appointive.”