Kenya court rules IEBC must allow another candidate in poll re-run

A Kenyan High Court has ruled that the election board should include another candidate in presidential poll re-run ordered by the Supreme Court.

Ekuru Aukot, polled less than 1 percent in presidential elections held in August but Justice John Mativo said, “I find nothing to bar the petitioner from contesting the fresh election.”

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) had planned the October 26 repeat poll to be between the top two candidates – incumbent Uhuru Kenyatta and main opposition NASA’s Raila Odinga.

But the ruling means President Uhuru Kenyatta may still have a challenger on Oct. 26, when the re-run is scheduled despite the withdrawal of top opposition candidate on Raila Odinga over allegations of bias.

The top court on September 1 annulled results of the August election stating that the IEBC failed to conduct the process based on electoral laws.

The main opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) filed a poll petition after Kenyatta was declared winner with over 60% of votes. NASA led by former Prime Minister Odinga secured the poll cancellation which was the first time in Africa.