Teddy Njoroge Kamau (PhD) in Kijabe.
The case of Diaspora Senate Candidate, Teresia Wairimu Kairu in which she is suing the IEBC for violation of her rights has been given a hearing ate of the 28th February 2013 in the High Court of Kenya. According to her Attorney Samuel Muga of Robinson and Harris, Mrs. Kairu’s case is going to be argued on the basis of the Constitution. “The constitution requires the IEBC to conduct a simple and clear Biometric Registration System that guarantees every citizen the right to register and participate in the election process”. Mr Muga said in an interview.
According to the Senator’s Attorney, he will seek to prove that in frustrating Mrs. Kairu during the process of registration, and in having a fictitious name appear as Teresia Wairimu Kairu on the Biometric Voter Registry, the IEBC violated the constitutional requirement. In this case, “we believe that the IEBC knowingly frustrated the Candidate as a Citizen.” Asked if he believes the case has merit, Mr. Muga was confident that the courts will protect every citizen beginning with Mrs Kairu. “We will wait for the decision of the court.” He said in an interview.
This is the first case to be filed by a candidate suing the IEBC for violation of rights in respect to fraud in the Biometric Voter Registry during these elections. Teresia Wairimu Kairu is running for the Senate Seat in Kiambu county against 7 other candidates. She is counting on the women vote and the disenchanted youth for victory. If she wins, Mrs. Kairu will be the first woman to be in a political leadership position in Kiambu county. She is suing the IEBC for 200million shillings in damages.
Teddy Njoroge Kamau (PhD), SYR Radio/TV, Director, International Desk. Diaspora Messenger Contributor.
