By Standard Team
NAIROBI; KENYA: The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) kicked off clearance of nominees vying for various seats in county government.
The commission’s 290 Constituency Electoral Coordinators and 47 county officials received nomination papers from candidates at IEBC offices. In Nairobi, the two-day exercise started yesterday on a high note with various candidates getting IEBC approval to contest for Governor and Senator seats. County Returning Officer Fiona Waithaka cleared ODM candidates Evans Kidero and Bishop Margaret Wanjiru to run for Governor and Senator positions respectively.
Waithaka also cleared Senate seat aspirants Gidion Mbuvi (TNA), Okiya Omtata (Ford Kenya), Bishop Bonifes Adoyo (Labour Party of Kenya) and David Kinyua (APK).
Rachel Shebesh (TNA), Irene Kasalu (Ford Kenya), Rahab Wangui (Wiper Party), Tabitha Wanjira (Narc-Kenya) and Mary Mudachi (Ford People) were also cleared to vie for Women Representative position.
Former Nyeri Town MP Wanyiri Kihoro was cleared to contest Nairobi governor post as an independent candidate.
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Kasulu and Omtata had earlier been turned away after they failed to present some key documents.
Kidero’s rival Ferdinand Waititu (TNA) was also cleared yesterday evening. Mr Jimnah Mbaru (APK) and Philip Kisia (FPK) will present their papers today.
In Nakuru, former AP commandant Kinuthia Mbugua was cleared to contest the county’s governor position on TNA ticket. Others who were cleared included senatorial candidates Dr Omondi Ogada (ODM), Jayne Kihara (Narc Kenya) and Joseph Mambo (GNU). In Homa Bay, Immigration minister Otieno Kajwang’ was cleared to run for the county’s Senate seat on ODM ticket. The stage was set for a gruelling battle in Makueni Senate seat bid after Education minister Mutula Kilonzo (Wiper) and former Kilome MP Harun Mwau (Pick) got IEBC’s clearance yesterday.
Electoral commission also cleared Prof Kivutha Kibwana, Lt Gen Jones Mutwii, Dr Peter Kilonzo and former Makueni MP Peter Maundu (TIP) to vie for the county’s governor seat.
Controversial politician Mary Wambui was cleared in Nyeri to vie for Othaya parliamentary seat. Kamukunji parliamentary hopeful Yusuf Hassan (TNA) and Starehe parliamentary seat hopeful Maina Kamanda (TNA) were also cleared. Meanwhile, Nyando Constituency has come up with a campaign programme aimed at curbing violence. Constituency’s Returning Officer David Mbui said they have asked three candidates to come up with campaign schedules.
–– Reports by Roselyne Obala, Karanja Njoroge, James Omoro, Onesmus Nzioka, Daniel Nzia, Job Weru, Allan Kisia, Felix Olick and Mangoa Mosota.
