Isaiah Kithinji, a petitioner seeking to compel the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to bar Meru Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu from vying for a second term now says his life is endangered.
A report has been filed to the DCI Imenti North by Kiogora Mugambi, an advocate acting on behalf of Mr. Kithinji, after unidentified persons allegedly visited his home and issued threats to his family members.
“Three men today at around 10 am visited the homestead of Isaiah Kithinji and met his wife. They sought to know where Kithinji was and threatened the family with unmentioned consequences if he proceeds with the case.” reads part of the statement.
“Ako wapi Kithinji? Mwambie awachane na kesi ya Ntuchiu, na pia mweleze tutarudi tena asipo wachana na kesi ama wewe bibi yake utaendea mwili yake Kathita,” one of the unidentified persons allegedly warned Mr. Kithinji’s wife.
(Where is Kithinji? Tell him to immediately drop the case against Titus Ntuchiu. We will be back if he does not heed to our warning, or you will look for his dead body along River Kathita.)
The petition filed by Mr. Kithinji seeks to have Mr. Ntuchiu barred from contesting alongside Kiraitu Murungi, on the basis of his failure to resign as Finance CEC as stipulated in the law.
The matter will be heard and determined on 29th June 2022 before Lady Justice Cherere.
Civil servants seeking elective office had until February 2022 to tender their resignations, with a number of candidates and runningmates denied clearance by the IEBC for not meeting this requirement.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Anthony Mrima in January this year, the requirement to resign is meant to give the aspirants sufficient time to prepare for elections.
“They [civil servants] cannot have one leg in public service and another at their elective area. The law was designed to aid them to make up their minds on where they want to maximize their energies,” said the judge.
“Six months before the election date is sufficient time for them to prepare themselves to meet their fate at the election box. A longer period would be unreasonable and a shorter period would be more unreasonable.” he added.
On his part, Mr. Ntuchiu insists that he was never vetted for the Finance CEC post, and therefore was not obliged to tender any resignation.
“Those coming up with such cases have not read the law. My duties as Finance CEC were delegated by the Governor in accordance with the County Governments Act.” Ntuchiu says.
Mr. Kithinji however claims that the severity of the court case has now prompted the respondents to go after his life.
“We feel that these are intimidations from the Deputy Governor because the petition seeks to have him barred from running in the 2022 General elections.” says one of Mr. Kithinji’s close family member.
The author is a Digital Strategist. He occasionally writes on matters Technology, Politics and Health
