IEBC waits on documents from 14 eyeing State House

The line up of candidates for the presidency has begun to take shape with the presentation of documents to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

On Thursday, the commission was waiting for the 14 aspirants it had listed as interested in seeking the presidency to beat yet another deadline.

There are 10 aspirants sponsored by parties and four independent.

Those sponsored by parties are: Peter Kenneth (Kenya National Congress), Raila Odinga (ODM), Paul Muite (Safina), Mwalimu Mohammed (Alliance for Real Change), Martha Karua (Narc-Kenya), Kingwa Kamenchu (Peoples Patriotic Party of Kenya), Musalia Mudavadi (UDF), Prof James ole Kiyiapi (Restore and Build Kenya), Uhuru Kenyatta (TNA) and Chris Matata Musyoka (Party of Democratic Unity).

Independent candidates are; Waqambo Qambo, Stephen Owoko, Peter Luta and Thomas Maitai.

The body was collecting the initial batch of documents required before it begins processing the names of candidates whose names will be on the ballot at the General Election on March 4.

Each candidate was required to present a letter expressing intention to contest the presidency plus lists of 2,000 signatures from supporters in more than half of the 47 counties.

With a candidate required to have 2,000 signatures from each of the at least 25 counties, this means that each one of them would need at least 50,000 supporters for their bid.

Soft and hard copies

They were also required to present these lists in both soft and hard copies, said Immaculate Kasait, the Director of Voter Registration at the IEBC.

Ms Kasait said this is in line with Section 18 of the Election Regulations, which requires that presidential candidates present the documents  and lists of supporters at least five days to the official nomination day.

The candidates will present their party nomination certificates to the IEBC at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on January 29 and 30.

KNC's Mr Kenneth was first to present the documents. His agents delivered the required documents at about 8 am.

Next, at about 11.30 am, was Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who is backed by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy, and Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, his running mate.

Mr Odinga’s documents were presented by Orange Democratic Movement officials led by chairman Henry Kosgey and James Orengo.

They were later joined by ODM secretary general Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and Wiper Democratic Movement secretary general Mutula Kilonzo, who is also the Education minister.

Among the documents deposited with the IEBC are; clearance from the Credit Reference Bureau, Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board and a certificate of good conduct from the Criminal Investigations Department.

They also presented a self-declaration form plus the coalition agreement that brought together Mr Odinga and Mr Musyoka.