Deputy President William Ruto has today appeared before the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) for clearance as the Kenya Kwanza presidential candidate.
Ruto together with his lieutenants headed to Bomas of Kenya where he was expected to face the commission chairman Wafula Chebukati among other commissioners.
During his presentation, Ruto presented certified copies of educational qualification certificates, including a Degree Certificate in accordance with Section 22 of the Elections Act, 2011 and Regulation 47 of Elections (General) Regulations, 2012.
He also presented a copy of a National Identity Card/Valid Passport (the document used by the candidate to register as a voter)
A Passport size photograph with a white background was submitted in hard and soft copies.
He also presented a duly signed and dated Code of Conduct (Second Schedule of the Elections Act, 2011)
A duly filled Commission Nomination Form, including:
An original Statutory Declaration Form for purposes of nomination (Regulation 18(3) Elections (General) Regulations, 2012 and an original Self-Declaration Form (Regulation 46 of Elections (General) Regulations, 2012)
For Political Party Candidates and Independent Candidates, an electronic version and the duly filled list of at least 2000 supporters from each of the majority of the counties in the prescribed form, be submitted to the Commission.
Nomination fees in a Banker’s Cheque payable to IEBC.
Addressing journalists at his Karen home, Ruto termed today a defining moment for Kenyans who deserve better leadership.
Ruto added that his clearance by the electioneering body marks a major step in the journey that he said will shape the destiny of Kenya in the near future.
Earlier this week, the DP made assertions of alleged 1million illegal voter transfers while meeting a European Union delegation and IEBC has since dismissed the claims as untrue.
The DP accused government officials of attempting to manipulate the IEBC’s electronic systems to influence the General Election, citing the involvement of Cabinet secretaries in the presidential succession politics, and saying it was against the Constitution and that it affected the credibility of the election.
He took particular issue with ICT Cabinet Secretary Joe Mucheru’s support of Raila Odinga, the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition’s presidential flag-bearer.
“How did close to a million votes disappear from the register, and many of those names are of people from what we consider our strongholds? There is a clear attempt to try some monkey games. We don’t believe they will succeed but these attempts are a source of concern to Kenyans,” Ruto claimed, asking the EU ambassadors to question the IEBC and the government officials over his claims. The Standard could not independently verify the claims. Ruto also said that his United Democratic Alliance Party would write to the lEBC on the matter.
Ruto was in the company of his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Ford Kenya party leader Moses Wetangula, and his Amani National Congress (ANC) party leader Musalia Mudavadi, Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua among other leaders.
He presented his papers a day before Azimio la Umoja- One Kenya Alliance presidential Candidate Raila Odinga presents him before the same commission tomorrow.
The presentation of nomination papers for two major presidential contenders sets the stage for a serious campaign season that will culminate in the casting of votes to come on August 9 when Kenyans will determine the next country’s leadership.
Ruto took the opportunity to accuse his political rivals of failing to achieve their goal of having him absent on the ballot, saying that their plans had flopped by the grace of God.
“They said we would not get to 2022, that we would not be at the ballot, but today we are presenting our papers, and they can do nothing about it,” he stated.
When Ruto officially becomes a candidate, he will from today cease using government vehicles in crisscrossing the country while drumming up support for his State House bid.
He has also abandoned plans to form a parallel voting tally.