Nairobi, Kenya, Feb 22 – Murang’a Women Representative Sabina Chege on Tuesday failed to appear before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) over vote rigging claims she had made.
According to her Lawyer Otiende Amollo, Sabina fell ill and is currently receiving treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
Amollo stated that as a result of this, the politician was indisposed, and the doctor has not yet indicated when she will be discharged.
“Mr chairman allow me to introduce to you a letter from Dr, Eric Munene Muriuki who addressed this letter at our request to confirm that the respondent is indisposed. She was admitted in Nairobi hospital on February 16 and is currently still undergoing treatment,” Amollo said.
The electoral body had summoned the Murang’a Woman Representative on charges of breaching the electoral code for claiming that the 2017 vote was rigged and “even this one (2017) we can.”
He added that having not been satisfied with the committee’s ruling and direction’s during the first appearance, they had moved to the constitution court for the benefit of getting court’s interpretation of various issues.
“The petition and motion were filed on February 18. It was considered yesterday (Monday) by the Honourable Justice Mrima who gave directions that we serve within two days, and we have duly served both electronically and the hardcopy and gave direction that the parties appear in court tomorrow (Wednesday) for further direction.
IEBC Chairman Wafula Chebukati confirmed the receipt of the service of motion and adjourned the session to March 8 after the committee accepted the request for adjournment by Chege’s lawyers
“This committee has considered the application by counsel for the respondent and noted that the letter by doctor Eric Munene Muriuki addressed to whom it many concerned. This committee is also alive to the constitutional safeguard requisites for a fair, just and expeditious hearing,” Chebukati said.
Chebukati further directed Sabina Chege to refrain from commenting on the case in the public forums until the case is completed to allow for fair determination.
“The respondent and the counsel will have an opportunity to canvass their case before this committee on the appointed date,” Chebukati said.
He further directed that Chege’s lawyers be furnished with documentation sought by the secretariat of the committee.
