Walter Mong’are, a presidential candidate whose initial permission was canceled, attended Daystar University for barely seven months, according to new reports by the Standard.
In a new revelation, Comedian Mong’are, alias Nyambane, studied there between May and December last year, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Dispute Resolution Committee.
He went to great lengths to illustrate how he might finish a degree program in seven months.
The start date was May 10, 2021, and the conclusion date was December 18, 2021, according to a transcript he had filed to ensure he had completed his studies.
“If Walter Mong’are did not complete four years at Daystar, he would not qualify,” his lawyer Alutalala Mukhwana revealed.
Mong’are would clarify that he had transferred from Kenyatta University to Daystar University, along with the credits from the units he had earned. He and his lawyer were unable to identify the units in his transcripts.
“When you transfer units, they are supposed to appear in the final transcript,” challenged IEBC commissioner Abdi Guliye, a member of the panel.
Mong’are refused to comment on the subject, claiming that Daystar University should have responded to his client’s transcript-related questions.
Daystar had completed his studies and was awaiting graduation, according to an affidavit presented by the Umoja Summit Party leader. His lawyer had contended that a degree was “a title conferred on a graduate” and that this should suffice.
“Our client has completed the required studies at Daystar… what is left is just a coronation, a ceremony, a ritual,” Mukhwana said, citing High Court judgements that allowed persons to contest election positions with transcripts.
IEBC lawyer Moses Kipkogei said it was necessary that Mong’are has a degree certificate.
Mong’are had said the revocation of his presidential candidacy had caused him public ridicule and humiliation.
“This revocation continues to paint a picture of someone who has not met the requirements of university education… I pray you to safeguard my dignity as an educated Kenyan,” he pleaded.
The matter will be determined tomorrow, as will a complaint by presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame.
IEBC faulted Kigame for failing to submit the requisite 2,000 signatures from at least 24 counties in time.
Kigame’s lawyer John Khaminwa urged the panel to “bend backwards” in Kigame’s favour, owing to his disability.
“People with disability should be given an opportunity to participate in elections and those in authority should bend backwards to accommodate them,” Dr Khaminwa said. “Let me go to the grave knowing that the country, at the top, is not run by mediocre.”
Source: Standard
