The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has given Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka a political safety net by permitting him to resubmit signatures supporting his presidential bid.
Musyoka had been ruled out of the presidential election as one of four political party candidates and nine independents that failed to meet the IEBC’s stringent requirements of 48,000 supporters from at least 24 counties, as well as proper presentation of supporters’ names and copies of their national identity cards.
IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati said the party had until today to present the signatures in the appropriate format in a letter to the party’s National Elections Board head Agatha Solitei.
“The commission has considered and acceded to your request to be allowed to submit the soft copy of your list of supporters in excel format by May 29, 2022, at 9 am at the Bomas of Kenya, failing which your documentation will not be certified as compliant,” said Chebukati.
The party denied yesterday that Musyoka had been disqualified from running for president in the forthcoming election due to his refusal to provide the IEBC with electronic signatures.
“The National Elections Board (NEB) wishes to confirm that we have complied with this requirement as we have ALREADY SUBMITTED the soft copy of our Candidate’s supporters in Excel format today, 28/5/22 which is well within the deadline set by IEBC of 29/5/22,” Wiper said in a statement.
The commission had initially given political parties and independent candidates till May 25 to submit signatures for presidential candidates.
The IEBC has however cleared leading candidates Raila Odinga (Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition) and Deputy President William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance.
Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wa Iria (Usawa Kwa Wote Party), George Wajackoya (Roots Party), Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance), Jimi Wanjigi (Safina Party), Njeru Kathangu (Ford Asili), and David Mwaura Wahiga are among those seeking for political party tickets (Agano Party).
Those shortlisted as Independents are Gibson Ngaruiya Ng’ang’a, Dorothy Kemunto Nyangori, Peter Mubiko King’ori, Jeremiah Nyaga, Jane Juliet Munyoki, Faith Wairimu Ngigi, Eliud Muthiora Kariara and George Munyotta Kamau.
