The Mombasa high court has declined to issue orders to quash the decision by the Independent electoral and boundaries commission ( IEBC) decision not to clear former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko to vie for the Mombasa governor seat.

In his ruling on Tuesday morning via a virtual court session, Mombasa resident judge, John Mativo said it was prudent for the court to hear preliminary objection(PO) raised by the Independent electoral and boundaries commission,(IEBC)through its lawyer Edwin Mukele who tabled a preliminary objection indicating that the court had no jurisdiction to hear the petition.

Mativo noted " Am alive to the fact that ,the application is pending before me. I'm of the opinion that issues raised by IEBC on if the court can hear the petition are of importance l therefore allow for adjournment to allow time for IEBC time to argue the preliminary objection."

Justice Mativo pointed out that there are  similar disputes that had been filed and are pending before other forums and that  he was hesitant to issue the interim orders as sought since such orders may interfere with other related matters.

The matter will be heard on July 17 2022