By Juliet Jerotich
The High Court in Eldoret has issued orders temporarily suspending a gazette notice that had declared Philip Kipruto the Metkei MCA-elect.
The gazette notice was issued by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
IEBC, in the notice, said Kipruto has been elected unopposed.
However, The Equity Party (TEP) moved to court to challenge the notice, which it termed unlawful.
Which Metkei MCA aspirant did IEBC lock out?
According to the party, Kipruto was not the only candidate vying for the Metkei MCA seat as suggested by IEBC. It claimed it had a candidate, Edward Kiplimo Mengich, who was irregularly locked out of the race.
Following the petition, High Court judge Emily Ominde has now issued an order temporarily stopping Kipruto from being sworn in as the Metkei MCA pending hearing and determination of the matter.
The judge, however, said she was handling a similar case from Elgeyo Marakwet county and noted that the matter had been referred back to the Eldoret High Court for further directions.
Meanwhile, The Equitable Party’s national chairman, Dr Bonny Shanga, who spoke in Vihiga County, accused IEBC of allegedly favouring the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
He argued that the Commission’s decision was political and aimed to weaken their candidate in the by-election originally scheduled for November 27, 2025.
“Our candidate has been threatened and bribed after it became apparent to all and sundry that he was a force to reckon with in this by-election,” Dr Shanga said.
“The Equitable Party will not relent until justice is served. We will continue fighting to ensure that democracy prevails and the people of Elgeyo Marakwet are given the opportunity to freely elect the leader of their choice,” he said.
