On May 30, 2022, Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria caused a commotion outside the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) offices, accusing officials of trying to exclude him from the presidential race.
Wa Iria, who is vying for the presidency on the Usawa Kwa Wote party ticket, claimed that the Electoral body had reduced the number of presidential candidates in the race, and his name was mysteriously omitted from the list.
He expressed his concerns, stating, 'I was not given any reasons to why they removed my name, I have heard they had a meeting while trying to create a reason, and they send an officer to tell me privately.'
Wa Iria further alleged that the commission was using unofficial channels to communicate with him and that some candidates were selling their signatures, which he believed was the reason behind his name being removed.
As his supporters chanted 'No Wa Iria, no election', the Murang'a county boss insisted he had met all the requirements, including bringing signatures from supporters in 24 counties as required and the commission even acknowledged receipt.
He declared, 'No election will be conducted if I will not contest.'
