Raila cleared to run in presidential election
National Super Alliance (Nasa) flag bearer Raila Odinga has been cleared to run for the August 8 presidential election after presenting his papers to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
After clearing Mr Odinga, IEBC chairman, Wafula Chebukati, who is also the national returning officer for the presidential election, reiterated the need for peaceful campaign on the part of the candidates.
After being presented with a clearance nomination certificate, Mr Odinga thanked the chairman and the commission for processing their documents and approving them.
“I want to assure you that we shall conduct very peaceful campaigns. But we also want to raise concern over the use of security agencies for intimidation of candidates or interference with the electioneering process,” Odinga said.
The Opposition leader also took issue with muzzling people from conducting free and fair campaigns on the pretext of hate speech.
“We however expect a fair contest and that the commission will conduct free, fair and transparent elections,” he added.
Mr Odinga was accompanied by his running mate Kalonzo Musyoka.
FRESH LEADERSHIP
Before presenting his papers at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), Mr Odinga and his wife Ida alongside key members of the Nasa leadership attended a Sunday church service at the All Saint Cathedral in Nairobi.
Earlier in the day, IEBC cleared Thirdway Alliance Kenya presidential candidate Dr Ekuru Aukot who was the first to present his papers.
The first time presidential candidate promised fresh leadership, saying he is the camel that will run a marathon and win
“We have removed this thing of horses. Kenya does not need a sprint. It needs a marathon. We are now the camel that will win the marathon,” Dr Aukot said.
At same time, Alliance for Real Change presidential candidate Abduba Dida was forced to make a second trip to KICC after IEBC initially refused to accept his papers for failure to present certified copies of his degree and that of his running mate, as well as not having the required self-declaration forms.
