The Independent Electoral and Boundary Commission (IEBC) has today cleared four Presidential candidates to vie for the top seat during the August 9 General Elections.
The number has finally been whittled from an initial huge number of 48 after several days of vetting.
The four who are now certain to be in the ballot box in the August polls are Raila Odinga of the Azimio Coalition Political Party, William Ruto of the United Democratic Alliance, Professor George Wajackoyah of Roots Party and Agano Party candidate David Mwaure Waihiga.
As the four were given a green light for the race, 13 candidates were barred from the exercise.
“The Commission has today finalized the registration of Presidential candidates. I, Wafula Wanyonyi Chebukati, presided over this exercise as the Returning Officer of the Presidential Elections,” IEBC chairman Chebukati said.
He added: “However, the following candidates did not meet the requisite constitutional and statutory requirements and were therefore unsuccessful; Eliud Kariara (Independent), Dorothy Nyangori (Independent), Dr Ekuru Aukot (Thirdway Alliance Party), Gibson Nganga (Independent), George Munyottah (Independent), Jeremiah Nyagah (Independent), James Kamau (Independent), Jimi Wanjigi (Safina Party), June Munyeki (Independent), Justus Juma (Justice and Freedom), Peter King’ori (Independent), Walter Mong’are (Umoja Summit Party) and Njeru Kathangu (Ford Asili).”
he said that regulation 43 (2) (c) of the General Elections Regulations, 2012 provides that a returning officer shall hold a nomination paper invalid on grounds that the candidate is not qualified to be, or is disqualified by law to have been nominated or elected to the elective post for which nomination is sought.
“As the Returning Officer for the Presidential Election, upon discovery of new information on Walter Mongare’s lack of academic qualifications, I invited him to appear before me today at 2pm to clarify the issue. He failed to honour my invitation and pursuant to Regulation 43 (2) (c) of the Elections (General) Regulations, 2012, I hereby revoke the nomination certificate of Walter Onchong’a Mongare os Umoja Summit Party dated June 2, 2022,” Chebukati said.
He added: “ The Commission wishes to remind all candidates to abide by the Electoral Code of Conduct during the campaign period.”
