46 presidential aspirants to face IEBC hurdles
The clearing of 46 presidential candidates running as independents has been challenged, requiring at least 48,000 registered voter signatures and Sh200,000 in nomination costs.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) must approve the position after receiving at least 2,000 signatures from enlisted voters from at least 24 of the 47 counties.
Before receiving the commission’s approval to stand on the ballot, aspirants must also submit signatures with corresponding copies of their national identification documents, among other severe conditions.
Anne Nderitu, the Registrar of Political Parties, has certified a record 46 Kenyans to run for President in the August 9 General Election as independent candidates.
The individuals were cleared on the premise that they had not been members of any political party for at least three months prior to the August 9 elections.
The IEBC, on the other hand, will scrutinise them thoroughly.
According to its schedule, IEBC will publish the names and emblems of independent presidential candidates in the Kenya Gazette on May 13th.
After being gazetted, candidates will be given a statutory form to fill out in order to collect information on their supporters, which they will be compelled to provide in both digital and paper formats.
“Independent candidates are expected to deliver to the respective returning officers dully filled forms of supporters accompanied by corresponding copies of the identification documents of the voters who have appended their signatures in support of their candidates,” IEBC says.
Presidential candidates who have been cleared include perennial contestants Nazlin Omar, Nixon Kukubo, Muthiora Kariara who vied in 2017.
Gospel singer Reuben Kigame, former Presbyterian Church of East Africa Moderator David Githii, and Grita Muthoni are among the newcomers.
106 governors, 147 senators, 110 woman representatives, 958 Members of the National Assembly, and 5,845 members of the County Assembly are among the independent candidates.
The number of independent candidates has surpassed the previous high of 4,000 in 2017.
