Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission boss Wafula Chebukati while reading out the decision said,

“Degree certificate is mandatory and due to that, I am rejecting your application to be nominated as a candidate for presidential election slated for August 9, this year. That is my decision as the returning officer for presidential elections,” ruled Mr. Chebukati.

Mr. Wanjigi, on his part, protested the move saying it was a ploy to lock him out of the elections and suspected ulterior motives.

“It is very clear what is going on here, there is a very clear ‘mchujo’ (elimination) being decided somewhere else, not here,” You cannot apply different rules to different people, and this is the intention and your direction as a commission, then I fear greatly for the coming elections,” said Mr. Wanjigi.

Chebukati explained that those already disqualified were only the contestants who had been convicted without appeals, candidates who had been impeached from office, those without the required academic qualification and the public officers who failed to resign by the stipulated dates.