The High Court has dismissed Safina Party presidential aspirant Jimi Wanjigi’s petition that sought to have his name included in the presidential ballot paper.

Justice Jairus Ngaah ruled that the case lacked merit.

Wanjigi failed to get Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) clearance for lack of a degree certificate.

However, in court, his lawyer Omwanza Ombati argued that the Commission for University Education (CUE) had cleared him and, therefore, IEBC was bound to accept his university documents.

Wanjigi presented university transcripts to IEBC

Wanjigi had presented to IEBC his degree course transcripts from Daystar University where he is set to graduate in December.

The commission, however, said the transcripts were not equivalent to a degree.

“The key word we want to underline is if the person is a holder of a degree.

“It is our interpretation that a person must have a degree certificate. There must be in existence a physical degree certificate.

“The applicant is not in possession of a degree certificate and never presented it,” IEBC lawyer Moses Kipkogei argued in court.

IEBC denied Wanjigi’s clearance on June 6, 2022.