The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission’s Disputes Resolution Committee has thrown out a chase that was challenging the clearance of Wisley Rotich and his running mate Prof. Grace Cheserek to vie for the Elgeyo Marakwet gubernatorial seat.
A petition was filed before the committee sitting at the Milimani Law Courts in Nairobi, on grounds that Prof. Cheserek did not resign on time.
All public servants that were eyeing elective seats in the August 9, general elections were required under the Elections Act to have resigned by latest February 9th.
The petitioner wanted the duo blocked from vying for the seat.
Prof. Cheserek was the University of Eldoret (UoE) lecturer.
But in its ruling, the committee dismissed the case, giving a green light for the 34-year-old Rotich and Cheserek, 53, to be on the ballot, in the race to succeed outgoing governor Alex Tolgos.
Wisely Rotich who is currently the Deputy Governor is vying for the seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.
“Good Afternoon Great people of Elgeyo Marakwet, I wish to inform you that the case filed against me and my DG nominee Prof.Grace Cheserek at the IEBC Tribunal at Milimani Law Courts has been dismissed,” the UDA candidate shared on his verified Facebook page.
He called on the locals to rally behind his candidature so that they can walk the transformation journey together.
“I request you to affirm your decision on 9th August so that we immediately begin the journey of transformation of our County,” Wisely Rotich added.
In the battle for the next governor of Elgeyo Marakwet, the current DG will be facing two other candidates – former Sasini Managing Director Moses Changwony vying on an independent ticket, and National Vision Party (NVP) leader Anthony Chelimo.
Changwony has picked unionist Benson Biwott as his running mate, while Chelimo selected Benson Rotich.
