Thirdway Alliance presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot has said his party will consider the next step to take ahead of the October 26th repeat polls. While addressing the press after the court ordered IEBC to include him in the presidential race, Aukot said they will retreat and a clear decision will be made.
However, he reiterated that the electoral body is still plagued by problems that need to be addressed “Even before the August 8th elections we had concerns if IEBC had the capacity to hold elections. We still believe there are issues that must be addressed at IEBC including individuals who bungled the elections,” he said. He added that they have a list of concerns they will raise with the electoral body, concerns which are already known.
Justice John Mativo, who gave the verdict, ordering IEBC to include the Thirdway Alliance candidate in the polls list, said Aukot was unfairly denied a chance to take part in the repeat polls, and the presidential candidate said Chebukati and his team had messed up earlier, “Honestly, I believe Chebukati had completely violated the constitution by refusing my candidature, and the court proved he was very wrong,” said Aukot. He said many people had underestimated the party’s ‘small’ stature, but their belief in the constitution and justice system ultimately prevailed.
Initially, Aukot had filed an application in the Supreme court, but he was directed to the High Court. The important ruling comes a day after Raila Odinga withdrew his candidature, together with Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a decision which has left many minds perplexed, as the date set for the repeat polls draws nearer.