The campaign tracker today: 08-03-2017

IEBC receives nomination rules from 67 parties

5.46pm

IEBC has received nomination rules from 67 political parties preparing to participate in the August general elections.

Chairman Wafula Chebukati has said the commission is reviewing the submitted rules to ensure they comply with the law.

“The commission is in the process of reviewing the nomination rules submitted by 67 registered political parties to ensure compliance with the prescribed guidelines and respond to the democratic principles of governance as espoused by Article 91 of the Constitution.” – Wafula Chebukati

Hut Political Party, a new entity seeking registration and the National Super Alliance (nasa) are among political parties which have returned their nomination rules

Parties are required to also submit party membership lists within the next 10 days as required by law.

Mung’aro intensifies hunt for Kilifi top seat

4.42pm

Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro has reached out to residents of Ganze and Bamba, seeking their support for the governor’s seat.

Mr Mung’aro has today toured both Ganze and Bamba trading centres and held a series of rallies where he promised to prosecute those involved in corruption if he becomes the Kilifi governor.

He said many Kilifi residents, especially those who live in rural areas, are yet to see the benefits of devolution.

“People are portraying a picture that the national government is not keen on developing the counties. The truth is that the county gets Sh9.6 billion every year from the national government.” – Mung’aro

David Makali rubbishes ouster from LPK

4pm

Politician David Makali has dismissed his removal as Labour Party of Kenya’s secretary general.

He termed his “purported removal” as a decision arrived at by a “kangaroo national executive council.”

Mr Makali has insisted that he is the bona fide secretary-general of LPK and the official spokesman.

“Three or four people can’t [purport] to remove a party secretary general without a notice, agenda, complaint or reason or due process.” - Makali.

Supporters of Awiti, Magwanga clash

3.25pm

Police in Kendu Bay Town stop a violent confrontation between supporters of Homa Bay Governor Cyprian Awiti and Kasipul MP Oyugi Magwanga.

Mr Magwanga had called meeting with the Muslim community living in Kendu Bay which turned chaotic.

Youths allied to the governor blocked the MP’s motorcade from getting into the venue of the meeting.

A man was seriously injured and rushed to Rachuonyo North Sub-County Hospital.

Police officers deployed to restore order.

County Police Commander John Omusanga faults Mr Magwanga for not notifying police about his meeting.

“Mr Magwanga did not notify police about his meeting. We would have offered him security.” - Omusanga.

Bondo MP rejects proposal to step down for Oburu

1.23pm

Bondo MP Gideon Ochanda says he has rejected a proposal to drop his re-election bid in favour of nominated MP Oburu Oginga.

He says he is being prevailed upon to become the running mate of Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga in the August polls.

“I can confirm to you that I have been approached by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi and Nyando MP Fred Outa to drop my bid for Oburu in exchange for a running mate’s slot.” – Ochanda

But both Mr Wandayi and Mr Outa deny pushing Mr Ochanda to step down for Dr Oginga.

Mr Wandayi says he is ready to take part in talks aimed at ensuring harmony in Siaya.

“I welcome any discussions or talks that can bring harmony and tranquillity in our party leader’s backyard, not just in Siaya alone.” – Opiyo Wandayi

Jubilee women aspirants call for nominations

10.10am

Jubilee Party women aspirants in Nakuru call on the party secretariat to conduct its nominations as soon as possible so as to give time to IEBC to prepare for elections.

They claim IEBC is running out of time especially after the ballot printing tender was halted by the court.

The women aspirants also want the Jubilee secretariat to ensure nominations are free and fair so as to give them an equal contesting ground.

“IEBC has the role of conducting the party primaries but even as they do their work, let us allow them to have ample time to prepare for elections by conducting the nominations early enough.” - Ms Hildah Kimatta, Bahati Constituency aspirant.

Uhuru takes vote hunt to Turkana

7.45am

President Uhuru Kenyatta will today visit Turkana County in his role as the Head of State and in his continued bid to woo the electorate to give him another term in office.

The President will be in the county to launch a Sh215 million pay-out to farmers to support pastoralists purchase fodder and animal feed for their animals until the current drought ends.

Apart from Turkana, other counties targeted are Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, Tana River and Wajir.

In a statement from State House earlier this week, the payments under the Kenya Livestock Insurance Programme target 12,604 registered pastoralist households in the seven counties.

President Kenyatta's visit to Turkana comes less than a month after opposition chief Raila Odinga led the ODM brigade in declaring the county an opposition zone that he argued was off Jubilee Party's grip.

Turkana governor Josphat Nanok is ODM's national vice chairman and has continually insisted that the region is fully behind the National Super Alliance (Nasa).

Additional reporting: Magdalene Wanja, Justus Ochieng, Barack Oduor, Kazungu Samuel, Isaac Ongiri