High stakes: The 10 big names to watch now and after polls

DP William Ruto and Raila Odinga are the two front runners in the presidential race. [File, Standard]

In the remaining days, the front runners conduct and their utterances will be something to watch. Raila and Ruto who have fanatic support on some bases will need to be careful with their words to ensure that their supporters maintain peace before and after elections.

Already the duo have alleged foul play in the coming polls, with the DP complaining about the government using the provincial administration to influence the polls while Raila has issued demands to IEBC to ensure a credible exercise.

At the same time the IEBC chair, Wafula Chebukati is in the hot seat and every word he utters in the coming days will be taken with utmost seriousness.

In the recent past, Chebukati has come under intense pressure from politicians and security agents over the use of Kiems kit, the printing of ballot boxes, and the arrest of Venezuelans with election materials.

With the Kiems kit and the electronic relaying of the election results, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) and its Director General Ezra Chiloba come into play.

The CAK has the responsibility of ensuring that all the polling stations or the majority have internet connectivity to ensure seamless transmission of elections results to the National Tallying Centre at the Bomas of Kenya, Nairobi.

A few months ago, there was back and forth between the IEBC and CAK over 1,111 polling stations that did not have internet connectivity and the question of who needed to ensure availability of the same. The number has since increased to 1,290.

1. President Uhuru Kenyatta

On the verge of retirement, is the Commander-In-Chief of the armed forces and in charge of the elaborate security apparatus that will be critical in ensuring the election. The President constitutionally is the symbol of unity and every move he makes during the election counts for the stability of the country.

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya presidential candidate Raila Odinga. [File, Standard]

4. Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i

The CS will have to ensure security before and after the polls.

Dr Matiang'i just like the President has thrown his weight behind Raila and will be expected to be neutral in dealing with security apparatus. It is in his docket that the police and all the other security agents are domiciled.

5. IEBC Chair Wafula Chebukati

He will be overseeing the second General Election after 2017.

As the umpire in the succession politics where Uhuru is exiting, all eyes are on him as he prepares to hold one of the hotly contested elections in Kenya with 22 million voters and 16,500 candidates vying for various elective seats across over 46,000 polling stations.

Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai. [Esther Jeruto, Standard]

8. National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Philip Kameru

He is charged with gathering and providing intelligence for the government. Maj Gen Kameru is expected to advise the government on the security situation across the country before and after the elections.

His intelligence will inform how the government responds to avert chaos.

9. Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho

Like his boss Dr Matiang'i and IG Mutyambai, Dr Kibicho will be coordinating the security agents to ensure seamless operations.

10. CAK Director General Ezra Chiloba

As a former IEBC Chief Executive Officer, he understands his responsibility of ensuring seamless transmission of election results.