The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) yesterday cleared five presidential aspirants for the August 8 poll. Independent presidential candidates Prof Michael Wainaina, Japheth Kavinga and Joseph Nyaga were cleared alongside Jirongo Khwa Shakhalanga of United Democratic Party (UDF) and Jubilee Party candidate President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Nyaga was making the second trip to Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) after the electoral body turned him away on Sunday for presenting a banker’s cheque in excess of the required Sh200,000 nomination fee.
The former Cabinet minister was also required to present a signed code of conduct as required for his running mate Moses Waswa Marango. Marango, 40, from Bungoma had presented unsigned code of conduct the previous day.
The five join National Super Alliance’s (Nasa) Raila Odinga, Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance) and Abduba Dida (Alliance for Real Change) who were cleared on Sunday.
“I have certified the document presented before the commission are in order for Nyaga and Waswa and declared you presidential candidate for August 8 polls,”said the returning officer for the National Presidential Elections.
Jirongo expressed confidence the electoral body will conduct free, fair and credible elections,” My party will play by the rules and regulations set,” pledged Jirongo.
All the eight candidates signed the election code of conduct aimed at promoting “conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections” and that create a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate.
Presidential candidates and running mates must be of Kenyan citizen by birth, are expected to be registered voters, and must not owe allegiance to a foreign state.
IEBC chair Wafula Chebukati also directed all the nine aspirants to sumbit their campaign schedules for harmonisation. The campaigns officially kicked off on Sunday and runs until August 5 midnight.
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