The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has disqualified former Governor for Nairobi Mike Sonko from contesting in the Mombasa gubernatorial race.

IEBC chairperson Wafula Chebukati announced that Sonko was impeached and therefore was not fit to run for the seat in the August election.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Chebukati said IEBC received a report from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) that listed a gubernatorial aspirant, a senatorial aspirant and a Member of County Assembly aspirant as individuals unfit to hold public office following their removal from office.

According to Chebukati, the three individuals violated Chapter 6 of the Constitution and, therefore cannot hold any public office by election or appointment.

"The commission’s position is that Article 75 of the Constitution is self-speaking and self-executing and does not have a proviso," Chebukati said.

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“Therefore, the three aspirants who have been removed from office through impeachment are disqualified from contesting in the election."

Sonko was nominated by the Wiper party to contest for the Mombasa gubernatorial seat.

However, his candidature has experienced many setbacks along the way, culminating in IEBC’s rejection of his application.

Three weeks ago, an Eldoret-based court has ordered the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) against clearing the former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko to take part in the August general election following a petition by on Sylvester Kikpkemoi moved to court on grounds Sonko’s suitability and eligibility of the two politicians who were impeached from office.

Sonko’s bid has also suffered another setback when three civil society organisations namely Transparency International, Kituo Cha Sheria and Haki Yetu filed another petition seeking to block him from vying.